Poots was announced as leader of the DUP just last month.
Edwin Poots has announced his resignation as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party after less than a month into his post.
In a statement on Thursday night, he said: “I have asked the Party Chairman to commence an electoral process within the Party to allow for a new leader of the Democratic Unionist Party to be elected.
“The Party has asked me to remain in post until my successor is elected.
“This has been a difficult period for the Party and the country and I have conveyed to the Chairman my determination to do everything I can to ensure Unionism and Northern Ireland is able to move forward to a stronger place.”
It comes after scenes described as “bedlam” during a DUP party meeting on Thursday.
This was as Paul Givan and Michelle O’Neill were officially appointed as Northern Ireland’s First and Deputy First Ministers.
Poots formally nominated Lagan Valley MLA Paul Givan as Northern Ireland’s new First Minister at a special sitting of the Stormont Assembly.
Sinn Fein’s Conor Murphy also nominated party colleague Michelle O’Neill as Deputy First Minister at the same special sitting.
However, it is understood that 20 DUP MLAs voted against the decision to nominate Givan, but that Poots went ahead with the nomination, provoking a backlash from the party.
It comes as the British government agreed that it will introduce an Irish language act in Northern Ireland in October if the Stormont Assembly does not do so by September.
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