Sammy Wilson considering whether to go for DUP leadership

The East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson is considering whether to contest the leadership of the DUP against the firm favourite for the post Arlene Foster, informed sources said on Tuesday.

Mr Wilson has until Wednesday evening when nominations close to decide whether he should run against the DUP Minister of Finance Ms Foster.

“I am not in a position to make a comment,” said Mr Wilson, himself a former Minister of Finance, when contacted today.

It had been expected that the DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds would be elected as the unchallenged leader next week and that Ms Foster would be appointed as First Minister.

Those plans were thrown into disarray when on Monday evening the North Belfast MP Mr Dodds said he would not be seeking the leadership.

Well-placed sources said that Mr Wilson was tempted to challenge Ms Foster for the post and will weigh up what he should do over the coming 24 hours or so.

He will be conscious that if he puts in his name that he will be competing against the Assembly member, Ms Foster who is clearly First Minister Peter Robinson’s chosen successor.

This was reinforced by a tweet Mr Robinson posted on Monday night where he said he had “received a valid nomination” from Ms Foster for the top DUP post.

The new leader will be elected on Thursday of next week by the 46-member DUP parliamentary party of one MEP, MPs and Assembly members.

“Arlene’s nomination was submitted with the support of over 75 per cent of those entitled to vote in the electoral college,” said Mr Robinson in his tweet. His reference to three-quarters of the parliamentary party supporting Ms Foster was viewed in some DUP circles as making it almost explicit that Mr Robinson wants the Fermanagh MLA to replace him both as DUP leader and First Minister.

It is understood that Mr Wilson accepts that Ms Foster would be firm favourite to win were he to compete but that equally he may want to lay down a marker that he wants a significant say in the future direction of the party. It may also be to signal that the DUP should not be “browbeaten” by its outgoing leader and First Minister.

Mr Dodds caused surprise when on Monday evening he said he would not be seeking the leadership, citing the difficulty of running a party from Westminster.

"For a long time I have been consistent in my belief that, with devolution now firmly established in Northern Ireland, I would only put my name forward for leader if I was a member of the Stormont Assembly, " he said.

“I am previously on record as stating clearly my view about the disadvantage of attempting to lead a modern Northern Ireland party from Westminster when we now have devolved government,” added Mr Dodds, who does not sit in the Assembly.

He also endorsed Ms Foster for the leadership and First Minister positions. “I believe that the best way forward is to back Arlene Foster as leader of our party going forward,” he said.

“In the Assembly she has served as acting First Minister. She has demonstrated leadership credentials of the highest order here in the Assembly where I believe the leader of the party needs to be,” he added.

“I intend to work alongside her as deputy leader, as parliamentary leader, as part of a strong team of committed DUP representatives at every level, and I think that is in the best interests of unionism and in the best interests of Northern Ireland,” said Mr Dodds.