This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-34776780

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Arlene Foster: Rapid rise for DUP's first woman leader Arlene Foster: Rapid rise for DUP and NI's first female leader
(about 4 hours later)
Arlene Foster has had experience of some of the most high-profile posts in Northern Ireland politics and has long been tipped for Stormont's top job. Arlene Foster has had experience of some of the most high-profile posts in Northern Ireland politics.
The MLA from Fermanagh has had a rapid rise through the DUP ranks since joining the party from the Ulster Unionists in 2004. And now, having long been tipped for it, she is taking Stormont's top job.
She was born Arlene Kelly in Roslea in 1970. Born Arlene Kelly in Roslea, County Fermanagh, in 1970, she has had a rapid rise through the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) ranks since joining from the Ulster Unionists in 2004.
Her first experience of Troubles violence came when she was just eight years old. But her steely character in the political arena has been forged by the experiences of her childhood.
Her father was a part-time policeman and was targeted by the IRA at the family farm. Her first experience of the violence of Northern Ireland's Troubles violence came when she was just eight years old.
In 2005, she recounted the incident to the Sunday Tribune newspaper: "They shot him in the head as he was closing in the cattle. Her father was a part-time policeman and was targeted by the IRA on the family farm.
In 2005, Mrs Foster recounted the incident to the Sunday Tribune newspaper: "They shot him in the head as he was closing in the cattle.
"He came crawling into the house, blood streaming down his face.""He came crawling into the house, blood streaming down his face."
The family had to move house and she had to join a new school. The family had to find somewhere new to live and she had to join a new school.
When she was a teenager in 1988, a bomb exploded under her school bus.When she was a teenager in 1988, a bomb exploded under her school bus.
It was being driven by a part-time UDR soldier. It was being driven by a part-time soldier in the Army's Ulster Defence Regiment.
A girl sitting near her was seriously injured.A girl sitting near her was seriously injured.
After leaving Enniskillen Collegiate, the future politician went to Queen's University Belfast to study law. Defector
After leaving Enniskillen Collegiate, the future politician went to Queen's University in Belfast to study law.
She chaired the Ulster Unionist Association at the university.She chaired the Ulster Unionist Association at the university.
She began work as a solicitor, but continued her political activity.She began work as a solicitor, but continued her political activity.
Mrs Foster was elected MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone for the UUP in November 2003. In 2003, Mrs Foster was elected MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone for the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP).
Weeks later, she joined the Democratic Unionists, along with Jeffrey Donaldson - another defector from the UUP. Weeks later, she joined the DUP, along with Jeffrey Donaldson, another defector from the UUP.
She had criticised the direction the Ulster Unionists had been taking under David Trimble's leadership.She had criticised the direction the Ulster Unionists had been taking under David Trimble's leadership.
The DUP recognised her as an asset and Mrs Foster was appointed environment minister when devolution was restored in 2007. Attract
The following year, she took over as minister for enterprise, trade and investment - a job in which she had to deal with the impact of the global financial crisis on Northern Ireland. The DUP recognised her as an asset and Mrs Foster was appointed environment minister when devolution was restored in Northern Ireland in 2007.
The following year, she took over as minister for enterprise, trade and investment, a job in which she had to deal with the impact in Northern Ireland of the global financial crisis.
As part of her tourism strategy, Mrs Foster was keen to attract big events to Northern Ireland.As part of her tourism strategy, Mrs Foster was keen to attract big events to Northern Ireland.
She had a role in bringing the Giro d'Italia, the Irish Open golf tournament and the G8 summit to Northern Ireland. She had a role in bringing the Giro d'Italia, one of cycling's grand tours, the Irish Open golf tournament and the G8 summit of world leaders to Northern Ireland.
As her ministerial career advanced, so did her public profile.As her ministerial career advanced, so did her public profile.
She spoke about the importance of balancing her work and family life - Mrs Foster is married with three children.She spoke about the importance of balancing her work and family life - Mrs Foster is married with three children.
An indication of just how highly she was regarded by her party leader came in early 2010.An indication of just how highly she was regarded by her party leader came in early 2010.
Peter Robinson stood aside as first minister for a few weeks in the aftermath of the controversy about his wife Iris's affair with a teenager. Peter Robinson stood aside as first minister for a few weeks in the aftermath of a controversy about his wife Iris's affair with a teenager.
He appointed Mrs Foster to replace him on a temporary basis.He appointed Mrs Foster to replace him on a temporary basis.
Control
After Mr Robinson returned to the role, Mrs Foster enhanced her reputation as a key ally to the first minister.After Mr Robinson returned to the role, Mrs Foster enhanced her reputation as a key ally to the first minister.
She often accompanied him to significant meetings and news conferences.She often accompanied him to significant meetings and news conferences.
And during rocky times, she was frequently the party's first choice to go on the airwaves.And during rocky times, she was frequently the party's first choice to go on the airwaves.
She was given control of Stormont's purse strings when she took over the finance ministry in May 2015.She was given control of Stormont's purse strings when she took over the finance ministry in May 2015.
When most DUP ministers resigned amidst a fresh crisis in September, Mrs Foster was the only minister who remained in the executive. When most DUP ministers resigned from Northern Ireland's ruling executive amid a fresh political crisis in September, Mrs Foster was the only minister who remained in post.
She was also, once again, installed in the first minister's office for a few weeks.She was also, once again, installed in the first minister's office for a few weeks.
The party said she was acting as a "gatekeeper".The party said she was acting as a "gatekeeper".
Mrs Foster was criticised by nationalists when she explained that role. But Mrs Foster was criticised by nationalists when she explained that role.
She spoke of "the possibility that rogue Sinn Féin or renegade SDLP ministers are going to take decisions that will harm the community in Northern Ireland". She spoke of "the possibility that rogue Sinn Féin or renegade [Social Democratic and Labour Party] ministers are going to take decisions that will harm the community in Northern Ireland".
But even some of her critics would privately acknowledge that she has handled ministerial roles with confidence, and demonstrated political and administrative ability.But even some of her critics would privately acknowledge that she has handled ministerial roles with confidence, and demonstrated political and administrative ability.
She had a key role in the negotiations which aimed to resolve the long-running political difficulties, and put Stormont's finances on a sustainable footing. She had a key role in the negotiations that aimed to resolve the long-running political difficulties, and put Stormont's finances on a sustainable footing.
Now Mrs Foster will lead the biggest party in the assembly she helped to save. Her reward came in December 2015, when she was elected unopposed by her party to replace the retiring Mr Robinson.
Now Mrs Foster leads the biggest party in the assembly she helped to save.
And in becoming Northern Ireland's first female leader, her rise from the Fermanagh lowlands has reached a new peak.