UUP and Alliance see increase in membership inquiries amid DUP division

DUP member Paul Bell announces his resignation (Brian Lawless/PA)

The Alliance Party and the UUP say they have seen a rise in membership inquiries amid division within the DUP.

The ousting of former leader Arlene Foster and Edwin Poots’ narrow victory over Sir Jeffrey Donaldson in the party’s first leadership contest saw a veteran member publicly announce his resignation.