Sir Jeffrey Donaldson will be the next leader of the DUP without an election - after weeks of turmoil for the Northern Irish party.
The Lagan Valley MP’s appointment as leader designate follows the resignation of Edwin Poots, just 21 days into the job.
Sir Jeffrey was the only publicly declared candidate for the role when nominations closed at lunchtime today.
He was narrowly defeated by Mr Poots in the previous leadership contest, sparked by the resignation of previous leader Arlene Foster.
DUP chairman Lord Morrow said: “Nominations for the position of Party Leader closed today (Tuesday 22 June) at 12 noon. I can confirm that I have received one valid nomination, that being from Sir Jeffrey Donaldson.
Following the completion of our party processes Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP will be the next leader of the Democratic Unionist Party.
The last number of weeks has been difficult for the Party and mistakes have been made. Now is the time to move forward in a spirit of humility and mindful that our focus must be on serving the people whom we represent.
I look forward to the challenges of rebuilding and reconnecting in the time ahead.”
Accepting the nomination, Sir Jeffrey said: “The task ahead is great. I do not underestimate the challenge, but I know the overwhelming majority of people who live here want Northern Ireland to keep moving forward.
I have the vision to lead unionism into its second century, by embracing those who believe in a Northern Ireland where people of all identities and none can live, work and raise their family.
I have the vision to unite Northern Ireland and heal the divisions of the past. We don’t move forward by ignoring our past but by remembering and learning. "
He went on: "I have the vision to lead a Democratic Unionist team who will inspire and command the confidence of those we are privileged to represent.
The Northern Ireland Assembly is the place where every element of our society is represented. The coalition government is unwieldy, but it ensures every voice is heard.
Such partnership is how we should move forward. It must be based on respect for each other’s mandate.
To that end, I will be speaking with the Prime Minister at the earliest opportunity to emphasise that it is not realistic to expect stability when every unionist representative in the devolved institutions opposes the Northern Ireland Protocol.
The Government and those who claim to be protectors of peace and stability, must step up and deal with the Protocol in a manner which respects the constitutional and economic integrity of the United Kingdom.
I want to bring stability and encourage everyone to focus on what unites us as a people rather than on what divides us. There has been too much focus on division and recrimination both within unionism and within Northern Ireland.
I will play my part but the Government and Brussels must step up and recognise the flaws of the Protocol and how it was foisted upon Northern Ireland.”
Mr Poots’ resignation followed an angry revolt over the administrative process for appointing a new First Minister following the resignation of his predecessor, Arlene Foster.
The joint nature of the office Mrs Foster shared with deputy First Minister, Sinn Fein’s Michelle O'Neill meant her departure automatically triggered the removal of O'Neill from her position - as one cannot hold post without the other.
Failure to fill either roles within a week would have collapsed the Executive, handing UK ministers.
Sinn Fein refused to nominate a Deputy until it had assurances from the Government over Irish language laws the UK committed to in 2020 - a top wish-list item for republicans.
DUP politicians had strongly warned against Government intervention on such a sensitive devolved issue.
But Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis said the UK would move to pass the laws in October if the Executive had failed to bring them before the Assembly by then.
Mr Poots accepted the terms and nominated ally Paul Givan to be First Minister - enraging party colleagues who said he had caved into “ransom” from Sinn Fein.
An overwhelming majority of DUP MPs and MLAs voted against the move in a tense party meeting in Stormont.
And at a heated three-hour crisis meeting of party officers at DUP headquarters in Belfast on Thursday evening, Mr Poots was presented with little choice but to end his brief tenure as leader.
The DUP's Westminster leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, who narrowly lost out to Mr Poots in last month's leadership contest, is the overwhelming favourite to succeed him - though he has yet to formally declare an interest.
The ousting of Ms Foster in April - in a coup instigated by supporters of Mr Poots - laid bare deep internal divisions within the once rigidly disciplined party.
Ireland's foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney said the "last thing" Northern Ireland needs is for its largest party to be divided - and the party should be given "space" to respond to the challenges it is facing.
"We need to move quickly," one senor party figure said.
The latest political crisis at Stormont forced the cancellation of Friday's planned meeting of ministers from the Northern Ireland Executive and Irish Government in Armagh.
Mr Poots will remain in position until a new leader is appointed.
In his resignation statement, he said: "This has been a difficult period for the party and the country and I have conveyed to the chairman (Lord Morrow) my determination to do everything I can to ensure both unionism and Northern Ireland is able to move forward to a stronger place."
