DUP leadership: Sir Jeffrey Donaldson ratified as party leader

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson was unanimously ratified at the meeting

The ruling executive of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has ratified Sir Jeffrey Donaldson as the new party leader.

On Saturday, he secured support from a majority of DUP MPs and MLAs to take up the post.

At Wednesday night's meeting, the result was unanimously rubber stamped.

Sir Jeffrey said he had spent the last few days "talking quietly" to party members, including the man he replaced as leader, Edwin Poots.

"There've been things that we've said to each other, recognising the hurt that has been caused," he said.

"I think that's been good, it's been cathartic for the party and I think there is now a united determination.

"We heard it from Edwin this evening, from myself and from others that there is now a desire to unite, to draw together."

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The party's 130-strong executive is made up of MPs, MLAs, peers, constituency association and university group members.

Sir Jeffrey was the only candidate to put his name forward for the position of leader, following Mr Poots' decision to resign after just 21 days in the job.

On Saturday, the Lagan Valley MP received the backing of 32 out of 36 votes from the party's electoral college.

Sir Jeffrey's predecessor Edwin Poots said he endorsed him as the new leader

Mr Poots confirmed on Wednesday that Sir Jeffrey had his full support and that he had given him his backing in Saturday's leadership vote.

"Of course I backed him, I used my proxy vote and I wasn't able to attend [on Saturday] and that's as simple as that," he said.

He told BBC News NI on Wednesday that the DUP needed "to look to the future to secure the union".

"That is the purpose of our party and that is what we need to drive towards, ensuring Northern Ireland's place within the United Kingdom is a certain place," he said.

First Minister Paul Givan was among the DUP representatives at the meeting

Sir Jeffrey becomes the party's fifth leader in its 50-year history, and its third in just 50 days.

North Belfast MLA Paula Bradley remains deputy leader of the party.

Speaking after his election, Sir Jeffrey said that his priority as leader "will be to right the wrong that has been done by the imposition of this [Northern Ireland] protocol".

He also said the Irish government should stop "cheerleading" for the protocol - the part of the Brexit deal that creates a border in the Irish Sea - claiming it was "dragging our politics backwards".