STATEMENT

I called the party chairman to inform him that I intend to step down as leader of the DUP on May 28 and as First Minister at the end of June.

Northern Ireland and its people have been heavily impacted by Covid-19 and there remains more work to be done to steer us thorough the pandemic.

It has been the privilege of my life to serve as their First Minister and to represent my home constituency of Fermanagh/south Tyrone. I first entered the Assembly in 2003 and undoubtedly the last 18 years have been memorable. As I prepare to depart the stage it is my view if Northern Ireland is to prosper then it will only do so built on the foundations of successful and durable devolution. That requires hard work, determination and courage on all sides. Whilst the focus is on me today I recognise that will pass. For me my decision to enter politics was never about party or person, it was about speaking up for the voiceless and building a Northern Ireland which could prosper and be at peace within the UK. I am the first to recognise there have been ups and downs over the last fiveand-a-half years.

I have sought to lead the party and Northern Ireland away from division and towards a better path.

There are people in Northern Ireland with a British identity, others are Irish, others are Northern Irish, others are a mixture of all three and some are new and emerging. We must all learn to be generous to each other, live together and share this wonderful country.

The future of unionism and Northern Ireland will not be found in division, it will only be found in sharing this place we all are privileged to call home.