Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party. MLA for North Antrim. Strong & strategic unionism. Service driven & solution focused so that NI works for everyone.
Joined January 2023
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I’ve added Michelle O’Neill’s “final days” of the Union to my graphic outlining the many such predictions by Sinn Fein politicians going back to 2003. It’s a long list.
These are the offences the Police Ombudsman should prioritise. Root out predators and corruption. Stop pursuing good officers over trifling matters or split-second judgments made in good faith. Put the resource where the risk is.
Police officers targeted vulnerable women for sexual purposes, MLAs told trib.al/igsdFpY
Minister Muir described the review he commissioned into the Fivemiletown cattle cull as “comprehensive”. Yet, he cannot answer how many rounds were discharged and claims that’s for “security reasons”. An irrational claim.
Pat and other members of Sinn Fein have been targeting me for weeks. He even claimed last night the PSNI had “got rid of me”. This is the toxic vitriol they engage in and blame on everyone else. Pathetic really. Let’s debate on facts & not hurl insults.
Sinn Féin’s Sheehan accuses UUP leader of ‘stupidity’ and ‘anti-Irish bigotry’ as committee clashes over Irish education bill belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/…
Every investigative lever should be pulled to identify who is behind these vile threats.
School terror bomb threat hoax: 'Utterly reprehensible' culprits should be ashamed of inflicting fear on children, says teachers' body trib.al/0DiFEed
I welcome the Education Minister’s decision to allow officials to attend committee again. I advocated using our legal powers to summon them if necessary. Scrutiny is vital, but so is responsible conduct. Pat Sheehan should reflect on his own.
The stand-off between the Department of Education and its scrutiny committee at Stormont has come to an end, after Education Minister Paul Givan backed down on his order for officials to boycott meetings.
belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/…
Free hospital parking was written into law, then postponed most recently because the money wasn’t there. We can’t agree a budget or fund public sector pay rises. We face ballot action. We’ve told the Treasury we’ve searched down the back of every sofa. Yet an unfunded private member’s Bill has added another £30 million a year cost to Education. No child should go hungry. But passing a Bill doesn’t pay the bill or target the support. Where will the money come from and what gets cut?
Political unionism was accused of “not caring” about poverty as a bill aimed at tackling holiday hunger was passed in the Assembly tonight.
belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/…
Pleased to support St Columba school.
More than 6,000 people have backed a campaign to save a village primary school from closure.
Pupils, parents, teachers and politicians from across the political spectrum brought their fight to Stormont this week.
belfasttelegraph.co.uk/area/…
My thoughts are with the family of Chloe Mitchell.
The judge in the Chloe Mitchell murder trial has discharged the jury. bbc.in/4kHS6v9
Its exact wording was:
“It shall be conclusively presumed that no child under the age of 12 can be guilty of an offence.” Explain how my statement is untrue.
Alliance, backed by Sinn Féin and the SDLP, proposed exempting under-12s from ALL criminal responsibility. Under that proposal, a 10-year-old like Jon Venables could not be convicted or jailed for a murder like that of James Bulger. It was right to stop that.
James Bulger's killer Jon Venables to stay in prison after parole refused trib.al/qKTMlmu
Unionism is not on its knees. Our people are resilient. Our future is bright.
We need leadership that sells the Union and stops handing Sinn Féin easy wins.
Northern Ireland is stronger in the United Kingdom. That’s where we belong. That’s where we intend to stay.
Alliance has failed the basic test of competence: disastrous stewardship of Justice and DAERA, bonkers private members’ bills and slavishly following Sinn Féin in Assembly votes. Little wonder people are losing trust.
belfasttelegraph.co.uk/comme…
An honour to take part in Remembrance Sunday events today, beginning with a well-attended service at Ballymena Memorial Gardens this morning. Together, we honour their service and sacrifice.
Lest we forget.
Lovely to be at a family birthday tonight with my wonderful wife, Jenni. Politics can be tough, and her love and support mean everything. Whatever our responsibilities, time with those we love is precious. Family will always come first.
Keep your heads up. Sinn Féin remains below its last Assembly vote. Unionism is splintered, but our future is ours to shape. We’re building a UUP that earns trust and welcomes new talent. Join us to secure the Union and build a more successful Northern Ireland.
The officers in question notified their membership in accordance with the post Patten requirements. This displays healthy transparency. I used to oversee the notifiable interests register and this really is not much of a story.
REVEALED | The number of PSNI officers who are members of ‘notifiable organisations’ such as the loyal orders has been branded “alarming”.
belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/…
belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/…
