Image source, Reuters

Tomorrow the DUP's MLAs and MPs will start again the process of finding a new party leader.

As always, BBC News NI will be on hand to bring you all the latest developments, but after a long day, evening and night we bring our live coverage to a close.

Goodnight.

The Belfast Telegraph's Suzanne Breen predicts a "coronation" for Sir Jeffrey Donaldson.

"He's popular with Alliance voters, with Ulster Unionist voters, for transfers in Assembly elections," she tells The View.

I think the DUP had a punt on Poots, now it's time for steady, safe, tried and trusted leadership.

"Jeffrey Donaldson is perfect for that.

"He's not confrontational and is a bridge builder."

"Donaldson is not that different from Beattie," says the News Letter's Ben Lowry.

"Will they be able to work together very well?

"Or will they be too similar and will that boost Jim Allister?"

Prof Jon Tonge, of Liverpool University, who has a book about the DUP said Mr Poots should have been better prepared.

"It wasn’t a complex Line of Duty style plot," he tells The View.

“We knew what was coming from Sinn Féin – they wanted New Decade New Approach to be implemented and he should have been prepared for that, squared his party off, knowing Sinn Féin would smell blood as the DUP would be petrified by an election.

"Anyone could have seen that was coming.

"That’s how he has ended up where he is now – by not bringing his party with him and those assembly members who supported him weeks ago – deserted him in droves – his position was untenable from this morning."

Former DUP MP and Arlene Foster's special adviser Emma Little-Pengelly tells BBC NI's The View that Mr Poots had a difficult first few weeks as leader and "what has happened over the last 24 hours, last night and into today seem to have been monumental mistakes" for his leadership.

"Edwin was clearly very, very keen to take the leadership, there were many in the party unhappy about the way that if was done.

"It was then over to him then to demonstrate why he felt it was necessary.

"What were the changes that he felt needed to happen?

"However, over the course of the last two weeks we haven't seen that - for example in terms of North South relations, the protocol and of course what has happened over the last 24 hours."

A meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in Armagh tomorrow has been postponed.

It had been expected following the resignation of Edwin Poots.

A statement from the Irish government said: "Given political developments in Northern Ireland today, tomorrow’s NSMC Plenary meeting has been postponed at the request of the Northern side."

Enda McClafferty
BBC News NI political editor

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson is now in pole position.

He was the beaten contender, losing out by just two votes to Edwin Poots.

But I think he is now being regarded by many in the party as the one who can bring that unifying presence, to reach out and heal some of the wounds.

He has to reach out to the MLAs who were disillusioned with the previous leadership because he was part of that leadership.

So he'll have a job of work to do to get everybody on to his page.

Enda McClafferty
BBC News NI political editor

Paul Givan remains in place and the only way he can be removed from the post of first minister is if he resigns from the position.

And there is no indication of that happening.

I would be surprised if Edwin Poots did not raise the issue of Paul Givan's position at that discussion with party officers tonight whenever he agreed that he would tender his resignation.

And I wouldn't be surprised if Paul Givan remains in that post until the new leader comes along, or even beyond that.

The big focus of the DUP will be to now provide some stability and rather than reshuffling some of the key positions, they might try and let things settle a bit.

Sources have told BBC News NI the meeting of party officers in Belfast where Mr Poots faced an internal revolt was "a nightmare" and "chaotic".

Jayne McCormack
BBC News NI political correspondent

BBC News NI understands a motion of no confidence was mentioned but not tabled at the meeting of DUP officers.

Party sources described the meeting as “robust” and said it had become clear Mr Poots knew he had to resign.

It is thought the process to appoint his successor could move “at pace”, according to one DUP figure.

Doug Beattie and Edwin Poots officially took the leadership reigns on the same night.

Tonight the Ulster Unionist leader says whoever follows Mr Poots as DUP leader will face the same issues.

“The unedifying events around the DUP leadership were entirely inevitable. It doesn`t matter who the leader of the DUP is because they will face the same critical issues which were negotiated and agreed on their watch.

Image source, Pacemaker

“Unionism deserves better and Northern Ireland deserves better. Unionism needs modern, confident, progressive leadership and a roadmap for recovery and renewal. The Ulster Unionist Party will concentrate on providing that leadership and remains a united, welcoming party that is looking to the future.

“For too long Unionism has been fed a diet of fear and negativity. We have the talents and abilities to project a more confident, inclusive, vibrant brand of Northern Ireland unionism across the United Kingdom and beyond. There are huge challenges ahead, but by setting out a proper long-term strategy for the future, we can lift unionism to a better place.”

From one former leader of a unionist party to an almost former leader of another...

The leader of the SDLP Colum Eastwood says it's time for "some grown up politics".

A planned meeting of the North South Ministerial Council, scheduled for tomorrow, will now not go ahead, Stormont sources have said.

The NSMC is the main body for cross-border co-operation between the governments of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

It is attended by ministers from both sides of the border who oversee joint working in areas such as trade, food safety and agriculture.

What could be coming up in The View tonight?

Tune in for the live programme 10.55 on BBC One NI for all the latest on Edwin Poots nomination.