Jeffrey Donaldson has stepped down as DUP leader after being charged with historical sexual offences.
The Lagan Valley MP was arrested on Thursday and taken to Antrim police station for questioning.
A PSNI statement said detectives had arrested and charged a 61-year-old man for "non-recent sexual offences".
In a statement issued shortly before 1pm yesterday, the DUP's ruling party officer team announced that Mr Donaldson was stepping down with immediate effect.
"The Chairman has received a letter from Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP confirming that he has been charged with allegations of an historical nature and indicating that he is stepping down as Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party with immediate effect," the statement said.
"In accordance with the party rules, the Party Officers have suspended Mr Donaldson from membership, pending the outcome of a judicial process.
"The Party Officers have this morning unanimously appointed Mr Gavin Robinson MP as the Interim Party Leader."
It is understood Mr Donaldson has said he strenuously denies the charges.
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A 57-year-old woman has been charged with aiding and abetting in connection with the alleged offences.
Both were released on bail after being charged to appear before Newry Magistrates Court on 24 April.
News of the charge was broken to members of the DUP's ruling officer body at an emergency meeting yesterday morning.
Mr Donaldson's social media accounts had all been deleted overnight.
It is understood he left Northern Ireland early yesterday morning on a flight to London.
Mr Donaldson has been the MP for Lagan Valley since 1997 and became DUP leader in 2021, following the resignation of Edwin Poots, who faced an internal party revolt over his decision to proceed with nominating a new First Minister.
His leadership saw him steer the party's two-year boycott of Northern Ireland's political institutions in protest over post-Brexit trading arrangements.
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After protracted negotiations, the DUP agreed to return to Stormont in February following the agreement of a new deal and a series assurances around Northern Ireland's constitutional position within the UK.
His career started with the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) and in 1985, aged 22, he was the youngest person to be elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The 61-year-old's relationship with former UUP leader David Trimble deteriorated when he led a walkout of the 1998 peace talks after opposing the early release of republican and loyalist prisoners.
He left the party and joined the DUP in January 2004.
He was recognised by the late Queen Elizabeth in her 2016 Birthday Honours and was given a knighthood.
Mr Donaldson's membership of the Orange Order has also been suspended.
A spokesman for the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland said: "Jeffrey Donaldson’s membership has been suspended, in accordance with the rules of the Loyal Orange Institution, pending the outcome of the legal process."
Additional reporting: PA
