Robinson named new DUP leader

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The 59-year-old east Belfast MP was the choice of the 36-strong Assembly Group to take over from the Rev Ian Paisley, with North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds as the new deputy leader.

Assembly members unanimously agreed a joint nomination of Mr Robinson and Mr Dodds and will go to the party's 120-member executive committee on Thursday night to have the nominations formally ratified.

In a statement, the DUP Assembly group revealed that Mr Robinson and Mr Dodds' joint nomination was proposed by East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson and seconded by Stormont Environment Minister Arlene Foster.

"This joint nomination was unanimously agreed and will now be taken forward for ratification to the party's Central Executive Committee on Thursday, April 17, in Castlereagh council offices," they said.

"We are respectful that the process is not complete. Therefore DUP representatives will be making no further comment until after the executive meeting on Thursday evening."

Mr Robinson, who is the Stormont Finance Minister, has been the deputy leader of the party since 1980 and the MP for East Belfast since 1979.

Regarded as one of the most able politicians of his generation in Northern Ireland, he has carved out a firm reputation as a strong performer at the despatch box in the Assembly.

In the previous power-sharing executive, he served as the Regional Development Minister.

A tough-talking, no-nonsense politician, he played a major part in the DUP's rise to becoming Northern Ireland's largest political party in the 2003 Assembly Election - a position it has not relinquished since.