Poots has backing from majority of DUP politicians – campaign manager

The campaign manager for Stormont minister Edwin Poots has claimed he has received the endorsement of the majority of politicians who decide the next leader of the DUP.

The vote to choose who succeeds Arlene Foster is carried out by a small electorate, comprising only of the party’s elected representatives in Stormont and Westminster.

On Saturday morning, MLA Paul Frew, who was announced as Mr Poots’s campaign manager on Friday, claimed the Agriculture Minister has received the majority backing of their MLAs and MPs.

Currently, Mr Poots remains unchallenged in his bid to become party leader.

However, it is thought likely that Sir Jeffrey Donaldson will announce his candidature in the coming days.

Sources close to Sir Jeffrey dispute the claim from the Poots’ camp that he has received the majority endorsement of the party’s electoral college.

If the party’s Westminster leader does throw his hat in the ring it will be the first contested leadership race in the DUP’s 50-year history.

Mr Frew said on Saturday: “I am delighted to confirm Edwin has received endorsements from a majority of the electoral college including MLAs and MPs.

I look forward to taking forward the campaign for Edwin in the election for position of DUP Leader and building upon this support with our agenda for reform and vision for Northern Ireland.

— Paul Frew (@paulfrewDUP) May 1, 2021

“As campaign manager I take nothing for granted and am very grateful for the support Edwin has received from colleagues.

“I look forward to taking forward the campaign for Edwin in the election for position of DUP leader and building upon this support with our agenda for reform and vision for Northern Ireland.”

Sources close to Sir Jeffrey said on Saturday it was “highly likely” that he will enter the race for the leadership.

The Lagan Valley MP is understood to be considering his next move over the weekend.

One source close to Sir Jeffrey told the PA news agency he had received a significant number of endorsements from MPs and MLAs.

“He has very strong support from the parliamentary team and has more firm commitments from MLAs than Mr Poots,” said the source.

Speculation linking MP Gavin Robinson with a leadership bid has cooled in recent days and it is thought unlikely he will now declare.

Sources close to Sir Jeffrey Donaldson have said it is “highly likely” that he will enter the race for the DUP leadership.

The Lagan Valley MP is understood to be considering his next move over the weekend. pic.twitter.com/wwPnSL4rKg

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) May 1, 2021

As it stands the electoral college would comprise 35 members. However, it is unclear whether DUP MLA Jim Wells, who lost the party whip a number of years ago, will get a vote. If he does, the number of politicians deciding the leadership will be 36.

Mr Poots posted a number of videos on social media, in which he spoke of the support he has received in his bid to become DUP leader.

Positive news from my campaign manager Paul Frew this morning on support within the Electoral College as I step forward into the contest for Leader of the DUP. pic.twitter.com/AAllIbi5ID

— Edwin Poots MLA (@edwinpootsmla) May 1, 2021

Fellow MLAs Paul Givan, Christopher Stalford, Mervyn Storey and Jonathan Buckley all endorsed his candidacy, as did MP Paul Girvan.

Jonathan Buckley says Poots is the man for the job: