Edwin Poots not selected as DUP South Down candidate

Edwin Poots briefly led the DUP in 2021

Edwin Poots has failed an attempt to win the Democratic Unionist Party's nomination to stand in South Down at the forthcoming assembly election.

The agriculture minister had indicated he wanted to leave his Lagan Valley constituency and stand in South Down.

The party nominated Diane Forsythe, replacing the current assembly member Jim Wells, who has been deselected.

Mr Poots, a former DUP leader, and Ms Forsythe were both interviewed by party officers on Friday night.

Mr Poots arrived at Dundela House, the party's headquarters in east Belfast, just before 18:00 and left two hours later without speaking to the media.

"The Democratic Unionist Party selected Diane Forsythe to stand as the candidate for the party in the South Down constituency in the forthcoming assembly election in May," the party said.

"The party is continuing with its selection processes and all selected candidates are subject to ratification by the party executive."

Odds are stacked against Poots

Analysis by BBC News NI's Mark Simpson

It is another blow for Edwin Poots after the most bruising period of his long political career.

Less than a year ago he led the DUP, now he is facing a battle to even run for the party in the next election.

He may turn his attention back to the Lagan Valley constituency but he knows the odds are stacked against him.

As for South Down, 38-year-old accountant Diane Forsythe will be the DUP candidate.

She had home advantage as an activist in the constituency.

Nonetheless, the decision by party officers to pick her, a relative unknown, rather than someone who used to be in charge of the DUP tells its own story.

The DUP thanked Jim Wells "for his long and distinguished service" to the party.

Mr Wells was elected to the old Northern Ireland Assembly in 1982 and has represented the South Down constituency as an MLA (member of the legislative assembly) since 1998.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said he had known Mr Wells for more than 35 years and had "always admired his commitment to the unionist cause".

"Jim has served his constituents in South Down faithfully," he said.

"He has given a lifetime of public service and I look forward to seeing him making a further contribution to the party in the future."

Lagan Valley complications

The DUP currently holds two seats in the Lagan Valley constituency, belonging to Mr Poots and First Minister Paul Givan.

Sir Jeffrey has signalled his intention to return to the Northern Ireland Assembly and is also expected to be a candidate in Lagan Valley.

The DUP will need to take one more seat at the forthcoming election if all three men are to be accommodated.

Diane Forsythe and her father, Glyn Hanna, quit the party but later returned

Mr Poots was elected leader of the DUP in May 2021 after the ousting of Arlene Foster, but he resigned just 21 days later.

His appointment and the process that led to it had caused divisions within the party and several members of the South Down constituency office quit the party including Ms Forsythe.

They later returned when Sir Jeffrey was ratified as leader, saying they felt happier under his leadership.

Ms Forsythe is a former Westminster election candidate for the DUP and the daughter of a party councillor, Glyn Hanna.

Ms Foster was quick to send her congratulations to Ms Forsythe, tweeting: "So delighted for and proud of this woman. Now for hard yards for which you are more than capable."