Other News In Brief

Need To Build On DUP Attendance At Pink News Summer Reception - Bradshaw

There is a need to build on the DUP's upcoming attendance at a Stormont LGBT event, Alliance South Belfast MLA Paula Bradshaw has said.

DUP Leader Arlene Foster will be among those at the Pink News summer reception in Parliament Buildings on Thursday, 28 June. Ms Bradshaw, who has sponsored the event to celebrate the contribution of LGBT people to society, said she was pleased Ms Foster was attending.

She said: "We have worked hard to set up this event and so I am pleased the DUP have indicated they will attend. I will be happy to welcome Arlene Foster to it.

"Her decision to be there means just like the rainbow flag, there will be a full spectrum of political representation at the reception. I am sure it can be the beginning of a positive engagement.

"But we all now need to take responsibility for building on the positive sense of togetherness this has created, to work towards better supporting LGBT people in the community. One of those actions will be to restore an Assembly fit to vote fairly on issues such as marriage equality and to secure the wider elimination of the discrimination LGBT people still face all too often."

Fear Of Heat Exhaustion Keeps Firefighters From Tackling Gorse Fire

The current hot weather and the risk of heat exhaustion is preventing firefighters from tackling an ongoing gorse fire on the Glenshane Pass.

According to reports, the fire was first reported just before 5am this morning, Wednesday 27 June, and is understood to consist of five separate fires and is spread over a mile of gorse in a remote part of the Sperrins near Dungiven.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) is said to be on standby and will not move into the area until later this evening over fears of the risk to firefighters working in the current high temperatures.

John Blair Becomes First Openly Gay MLA

John Blair has been appointed as the new Alliance MLA for South Antrim, replacing David Ford who announced his retirement this week.

52-year-old Mr Blair will become the first openly gay MLA in the Assembly and said that he was looking forward to tackling the issues facing South Antrim in his new role.

He said: "I am honoured and delighted to have been selected as the new Alliance MLA for South Antrim by my colleagues and party members. I want to also pay tribute to David Ford, whose leadership and vision has helped grow the party both in the constituency and wider.

"I will be looking to build on my previous work as Councillor and provide a strong Alliance voice for local people, here in South Antrim and also in the Assembly. We are a growing party and we are already hitting the ground running ahead here of next year's Council elections.

"Since deciding to run for the MLA seat, I have received support and encouragement from right across the community, showing the progressive and positive alternative Alliance represents. I want to be carrying out all the duties of an MLA, so it is vital the Secretary of State calls all-party talks with an independent mediator immediately, so we can all get back to Stormont and do the job people want us to do.

"I look forward to doing just that, while representing all the people of South Antrim and providing a strong voice for them, whether rural or urban."

(MH/LM)