The Chief Constable of the Northern Ireland Police Service has resigned. 

Simon Byrne has been under pressure following a difficult few weeks; the private details of PSNI employees were published in a major data breach - details which are thought to have ended up in the hands of dissident republicans.

Last week, a court ruled that two junior officers had been unlawfully disciplined for an arrest made at an event commemorating the Troubles.

The High Court judge concluded the pair had been punished after Sinn Féin threatened to withdraw their support for the PSNI - something the party denies.

Unionists reacted angrily to the revelation and DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson said the party had submitted a motion of no confidence to the Policing Board.

Leader of the DUP Jeffrey Donaldson. Picture date: Thursday October 21, 2021.

"Confidence in the chief constable has been eroded, both amongst the wider public but, significantly, also amongst serving PSNI officers and staff,” he said.

"In light of that, we believe that a change of leadership is required."

Mr Byrne had previously said he intended to carry on in the job but today the Policing Board announced it had accepted his nomination.