Arlene Foster, the outgoing First Minister of Northern Ireland, is set to leave the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) following a revolt from party members, it has been reported.
The BBC cited sources close to her saying she thinks it's 'no longer the party she joined and is moving in a different direction'.
Mrs Foster returned to Stormont Executive business yesterday, after announcing she was to step down as party leader on May 28 - and First Minister by the end of June.
Meanwhile Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots announced his intention to stand for the leadership of the DUP.
The Lagan Valley Assembly member has been viewed as one of the main contenders to replace his departing leader, who was forced to quit in the face of an internal heave against her.
There is some speculation that when Mrs Foster does depart, the twin roles she currently occupies could be split, with one politician taking on the role of party leader and another being appointed First Minister.
That would potentially allow an MP to lead the party from Westminster while an MLA takes on the First Minister's job.
While Mrs Foster had been under mounting pressure from disgruntled DUP supporters for months, the pace at which her grip on power slipped this week has surprised many.
Her resignation on Wednesday came a day after party colleagues unhappy with her leadership moved against her, with a majority of senior elected representatives signing a letter of no confidence.
Discontent at the DUP's Brexit strategy was a major factor, with party rank-and-file laying some of the blame for the emergence of an Irish Sea border at her door.
Traditionalists from the party's religious fundamentalist wing also harboured concerns over positions Mrs Foster had taken on some social issues.
