Former first minister of Northern Ireland Dame Arlene Foster, who is from Fermanagh, has been made a peer of the House of Lords.

The announcement was made this afternoon (October 14) with a statement from the Prime Minister's Office.

Dame Arlene left Stormont politics last year after resigning as leader of the DUP.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson congratulated Dame Arlene on her elevation.

Commenting that he is "delighted" that former first minister Rt Hon Dame Arlene Foster has been conferred a peerage and will sit in the Lords, he said: "Arlene will be a strong voice for Northern Ireland and this is rightful and worthy recognition for her contribution and service to Northern Ireland.

"We look forward to working closely with her in the time ahead."

Dame Arlene stepped down as leader of the DUP on May 28, 2021, before resigning as first minister.

Following her stepping down as MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone in September 2021, she went on to work with GB News, where she hosts her own weekly show 'The Briefing'.

When the BBC decided to only provide edited coverage of Northern Ireland's Twelfth of July celebrations this year, Dame Arlene was the driving force behind GB News' decision to air live coverage on its channel.