13/09/2010

Deputy Lord Mayor Humphrey Is New MLA

Belfast's Deputy Lord Mayor William Humphrey has been nominated as a Stormont MLA.

He has defeated party colleagues councillor Ian Crozier and veteran Newtownabbey politician, Alderman Nigel Hamiton in the battle to replace former Finance Minister Nigel Dodds as he steps down from the Assembly.

The news follows last week's move by the North Belfast MP to leave the Assembly after more than a decade as part of the Democratic Unionists Party's (DUP) policy on so-called 'double-jobbing'.

Mr Humphrey (pictured) was already thought to be the front-runner by political commentators last week - only narrowly missing out on becoming the third DUP MLA in the North Belfast constituency in the 2007 election - along with Mr Dodds and Nelson McCausland.

Commenting this afternoon to BBC NI, he said of Mr Dodds: "Nigel has a proven track record of dedicated hard work on the ground, making a difference in peoples' lives within the Constituency. That will be the record I will strive to emulate."

The new MLA was elected as a councillor to represent the Court area of Belfast in May 2005 and was appointed High Sheriff in January 2006. He was then elected Belfast's Deputy Lord Mayor in June 2010 and now represents the Duncairn ward.

He has held membership of various committees including the Community and Recreation Committee; Development Committee; Housing Liaison Committee; Arts Sub-Committee; Tourism and Promotion of Belfast Sub-Committee and the Parks and Cemeteries Services Sub-Committee.

Outside of City Hall he is on the Belfast City Centre Management Board, and, from last October, has been a member of the Belfast District Policing Partnership.

The decision on the Stormont seat is thought to have been made by the DUP leader Peter Robinson at the weekend.

(BMcC/GK)

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