Prime Minister of Northern Ireland: DUP leader appoints Paul Givan as leadership candidate | Politics News

The new DUP chief, Edwin Poots, has started building his ministerial team, appointing Paul Givan as prime minister of the decentralized government of Northern Ireland.

Arlene Foster, who was due to step down as prime minister at the end of the month, had previously said she would step down early if Mr Poots sacked his front seat.

She has not spoken since Mr. Givan’s appointment.

Once she steps down, the DUP and Sinn Fein will have to agree on who should be prime minister and deputy prime minister.

They will have seven days to come to an agreement or face the possibility of a devolution collapse and snap elections.

Ms Foster was both DUP leader and prime minister – but Mr Poots said he preferred to divide the role so he could focus on party business.

He paid tribute to his “great job” by revealing his new team to Stormont on Tuesday.

Accepting the role, which will begin on Monday, Mr Givan said: “This post comes with enormous responsibility, especially in the service of the people of Northern Ireland.”