Minister Coveney vowed to work with any new DUP leader in an attempt to restore "trust and respect". The pace at which dissatisfaction with DUP leader Arlene Foster grew in recent days, leading to her resignation, caught Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney by surprise. The North’s First Minister announced yesterday that she will be stepping down as DUP leader in May, and exiting the political stage entirely. Minister Coveney acknowledged Ms Foster’s job had grown increasingly difficult as unrest grew in the North. “We need to try and build a sense of trust and respect that has been undermined and damaged, particularly in recent months,” Minister Coveney said.

Source: Irish Independent April 29, 2021 09:03 UTC