It’s not only been a bad day for the DUP but also for all of unionism, Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister tells BBC Radio Ulster’s Evening Extra

The deal to break the political stalemate, which would see Irish language legislation legislated for at Westminster if not introduced at Stormont, shows Sinn Féin “that unionism will roll over to it and that it can push and cajole unionism into climb downs”, said Mr Allister.

“That’s been delivered courtesy of the poodle attitude of Edwin Poots and of the new first minister. Unionism has been shown to be impotent and ineffective,” the TUV leader said.

“They have set a very poor precedent going forward and I suspect is what we are going to see is further demands from Sinn Féin,” he added.

BBC News NI's political editor hears from the DUP chairman as he enters the party's headquarters.

Jayne McCormack
BBC News NI political correspondent

“What a lovely day,” says Sir Jeffrey Donaldson as he arrives at DUP headquarters.

It could be for him more than others in the party as he echoes a tweet by Arlene Foster earlier who hoped everyone was "having a great day this lovely sunny afternoon".

Also at DUP headquarters is Sammy Wilson MP who says he doesn’t know if Edwin Poots will lose a motion of no confidence, but says he must recognise what is happening is wrong.

DUP leader Edwin Poots arrives at the headquarters, says nothing and enters quickly.

BBC News NI health correspondent Marie-Louise Connolly reports that the NI Executive meeting has ended and it's been agreed that any proposed relaxations to Covid restrictions be pushed back until next month.

The executive was looking at a number of possible relaxations, including allowing 10 people from two households to meet inside a home; the return of live music at venues that sell food or drink; and close-contact services, such as hairdressers and beauty salons, being allowed to operate without appointments.

It's understood the executive will review the situation on 1 July with a view to making changes on 5 July.

Robbie Meredith
BBC News NI Education Correspondent

The 'cultural package', which includes Irish language laws, have been at the heart of the Stormont stand-off and seemingly the row within the DUP.

But what was agreed on language and culture in the New Decade New Approach (NDNA) agreement?

Some parts of that agreement have already quietly been enacted, like an Irish and Ulster-Scots language translation service for public bodies.

Image source, PA Media

There will be also be simultaneous translation into Irish and Ulster-Scots in the assembly.

But the bulk of the NDNA measures are still to come into force.

It includes a new 'Office of Identity and Cultural Expression', commissioners for Irish and Ulster-Scots and the use of Irish in courts.

Find out more here.

Jayne McCormack
BBC News NI political correspondent

MLAs are filing into the party's east Belfast headquarters, including new deputy leader Paula Bradley.

Former economy minister Diane Dodds and former education minister Peter Weir are also here - they both lost their roles in Edwin Poots' ministerial reshuffle.

Mrs Dodds makes no comment on entering the party's HQ.

Mr Weir, however, is asked if Mr Poots could face a motion of no confidence and replies: "Is something happening?"

Surely a wry smile under his mask there.

Stephen Walker
BBC News NI Political Correspondent

It has been a truly remarkable day.

The story has shifted from Irish language to what’s going on in the DUP.

We have a DUP officers meeting yet to take place that has the potential to be a quite dramatic and bruising meeting for Edwin Poots.

The real problem is the number of people who voted against Mr Poots today.

When you really only have a handful of people in your corner who are backing you, and yet the overwhelming majority of MLAs - and the overwhelming majority MPs - are clearly against you, then there is a fundamental problem.

Jayne McCormack
BBC News NI political correspondent

I understand the Education Minister Michelle McIlveen is not at her first executive meeting. She is a party officer so may be en route to DUP headquarters.

It's not clear if party officers are all inside DUP HQ ahead of the meeting.

Tom Buchanan just arrived but said “no comment” when asked did he think Edwin Poots would still be leader by the end of tonight.

A senior DUP source tells BBC NI's Stephen Nolan that party officers are expected to tell Edwin Poots they have no confidence in him as leader.

He also hears that Peter Robinson, the former DUP leader and first minister, believes Mr Poots should have been prepared to make demands and threaten to leave the assembly if they were not granted.

BBC News NI's political correspondent reports that a senior DUP source says the party is not "buying what Edwin is selling", is reports mount about internal divisions.

The first meeting of the new Northern Ireland Executive, with Paul Givan and Michelle O'Neill as first and deputy first minister, is underway.

Image source, Pacemaker

BBC News NI's political correspondent says she understands that the NI Executive is scheduled to meet at about 3:30pm to discuss the latest health statistics and Covid-19 restrictions.

Last week, the NI Executive outlined a number of indicative dates, including relaxing the ban on live music

Ministers were to approve them on Thursday.

NI politicians are reacting to former DUP leader and first minister Arlene Foster's tweet that she was enjoying "a lovely lunch" amid internal revolt within the party.

Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong tweets: "Enjoy Arlene. It's been a tasty day today."

SDLP MLA Sinead McLaughlin says "others might need a stiff drink".

Justice Minster Naomi Long jokes: "I know you always hated Twitter, Arlene, but I have to say, you're a natural at it."

It has been a tense and tumulteous day at Stormont - and it's only mid-afternoon.

This morning began with doubts about whether the DUP would nominate a first minister, but now the question mark hangs over the DUP leadership.

In recent days, the future of Stormont has been threatened with a row over whether the assembly or Westminster would legislate on the Irish language.

Sinn Féin said they would not nominate a deputy first minister without such a commitment, which was then provided by the NI Secretary Brandon Lewis.

This enraged many within the DUP, with accounts suggesting that a sizeable majority of MLAs and MPs opposed the plan to nominate a first minister.

Despite the revolt, Paul Givan was nominated by Edwin Poots and is now Northern Ireland's first minister.

The move by the DUP leader has prompted swift opposition from former DUP officials, such as ex-MP Emma Little-Pengelly and former special adviser Timothy Cairns.

East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson commented: "If Edwin cannot convince people what he's done is right then it's not me or anybody else that's going to put his position in jeopardy, he does that himself."

The story continues...

As we've reported, Edwin Poots earlier stood in the Northern Ireland Assembly and nominated Paul Givan as first minister.

The moment, we now know, was opposed by a majority of DUP party representatives. But you can see Mr Poots and Mr Givan's comments in the chamber in the video above.

Former DUP leader Arlene Foster makes her first comments since this morning's dramatic goings on in the party...

Aside from political reaction, Talkback earlier carried the thoughts of various political commentators - and they do not make pleasant reading for Edwin Poots.

Newton Emerson says he is the "lamest of lame ducks".

"I don't see that Edwin Poots' leadership can survive with almost the entire Stormont and Westminster party opposed to him."

Image source, Reuters

Alex Kane says he has "no idea" where Mr Poots goes from here and that he doesn't see "how he survives the next fortnight", or how the NI Assembly survives.

Belfast Telegraph correspondent Allison Morris says she believes it's the worst start for any new party leader in Northern Ireland and that there's "mayhem" in the DUP.

Journalist Brian Rowan says the internal DUP issues are reflective of wider matters affecting the unionist and loyalist community.

"What we're seeing this morning is part of the 2021 nightmare. This was meant to be a year of celebration for unionism.

"The New Decade, New Approach agreement is, I think, Stormont's last chance and I think we are half a step away from blowing that last chance."

The leader of the Green Party in NI says "no-one is fooled" that the political agreement made overnight will bring stability at Stormont.

In a tweet, Clare Bailey asks: "How many more will be made, rolled back, stalled, manufactured into crisis before going to election?"

Earlier we reported that the DUP vote over nominating a first minister ended 24-4 - political correspondent Gareth Gordon reports that the votes for could be as high as eight "but certainly no larger than that".

This is partly because Edwin Poots and Paul Givan - two people who would have voted for - left the meeting before the vote took place.

Emma Little-Pengelly continues on Talkback that it is "sad" to see "significant" concern and divide in the DUP, however for many it is "understandable".

"There seems to be very wide concern about how this has happened," Ms Little-Pengelly.

"Many people within the DUP will have wanted to take some time to consider the way forward and perhaps not be happy, or be very unhappy at the fact this has been rushed through.

"There is no reason why time couldn't have been taken, it's not difficult to schedule an assembly sitting to do the nominations next week."