18/09/2002
Foster and Gorman to stand down at next election
Senior Ulster Unionist assembly members, Sir John Gorman and Sam Foster, have announced their decision not to run in the next assembly election.
Sir John, acknowledged by members as the 'Father of the House', said that he was making way for a younger generation to take the reins.
Announcing his decision, he said: "After long deliberation I have decided not to contest the next Assembly election though it will be my continued privilege to serve the people of North Down until then. The next Assembly needs more from the younger generation and more women in it and some of us will have to make way for them."
Sir John first came to public political prominence in 1996 as Chairman of the Northern Ireland Forum. Two years later, he was elected to the assembly – coming second to the then sitting MP, Robert McCartney.
A former RUC District Inspector and Chief Executive of the Housing Executive, Sir John has been deputy speaker in the assembly since January 2000. He was knighted in the Queen's Birthday List in 1998.
Sir John hailed the "forward-thinking, liberal leadership given by David Trimble" and said that, while he would not be attending Saturday's Ulster Unionist Council meeting, he believed opposition to David Trimble "merely had a wish-list and the desire for an easier life".
The former Environment Minister Sam Foster has also announced his intention to stand down at the end of the present Assembly.
Mr Foster, who is an MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, cited health reasons for his decision. He was Northern Ireland Environment Minister from 1999 to February this year when he stood down in place of Dermot Nesbitt.
Sam Foster was elected to Fermanagh Council in 1982 and served as Chairman in 1995-97. He was a member of the Northern Ireland Forum for Political Dialogue (1996-98) and been a member of the assembly since 1998.
He is a former member of the Ulster Special Constabulary, an ex-Company Commander with the rank of Major in the Ulster Defence Regiment 4th (Fermanagh) Battalion and he sat on the Police Authority for Northern Ireland from 1982-1985.
(GMcG)
Sir John, acknowledged by members as the 'Father of the House', said that he was making way for a younger generation to take the reins.
Announcing his decision, he said: "After long deliberation I have decided not to contest the next Assembly election though it will be my continued privilege to serve the people of North Down until then. The next Assembly needs more from the younger generation and more women in it and some of us will have to make way for them."
Sir John first came to public political prominence in 1996 as Chairman of the Northern Ireland Forum. Two years later, he was elected to the assembly – coming second to the then sitting MP, Robert McCartney.
A former RUC District Inspector and Chief Executive of the Housing Executive, Sir John has been deputy speaker in the assembly since January 2000. He was knighted in the Queen's Birthday List in 1998.
Sir John hailed the "forward-thinking, liberal leadership given by David Trimble" and said that, while he would not be attending Saturday's Ulster Unionist Council meeting, he believed opposition to David Trimble "merely had a wish-list and the desire for an easier life".
The former Environment Minister Sam Foster has also announced his intention to stand down at the end of the present Assembly.
Mr Foster, who is an MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, cited health reasons for his decision. He was Northern Ireland Environment Minister from 1999 to February this year when he stood down in place of Dermot Nesbitt.
Sam Foster was elected to Fermanagh Council in 1982 and served as Chairman in 1995-97. He was a member of the Northern Ireland Forum for Political Dialogue (1996-98) and been a member of the assembly since 1998.
He is a former member of the Ulster Special Constabulary, an ex-Company Commander with the rank of Major in the Ulster Defence Regiment 4th (Fermanagh) Battalion and he sat on the Police Authority for Northern Ireland from 1982-1985.
(GMcG)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
21 February 2018
PM To Meet DUP And Sinn Fein
Prime Minister Theresa May is to meet with the DUP and Sinn Fein to discuss how power-sharing can be restored in Northern Ireland. She will hold talks with the two main parties in Westminster today, 21 February. Talks collapsed last week to restore an Executive after Sinn Fein accused the DUP of failing to close a deal on a draft agreement.
PM To Meet DUP And Sinn Fein
Prime Minister Theresa May is to meet with the DUP and Sinn Fein to discuss how power-sharing can be restored in Northern Ireland. She will hold talks with the two main parties in Westminster today, 21 February. Talks collapsed last week to restore an Executive after Sinn Fein accused the DUP of failing to close a deal on a draft agreement.
17 January 2017
Date Announced For Next Assembly Election
Northern Ireland Secretary of State James Brokenshire has set a date for the next Assembly election following the collapse of Stormont over the botched Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme. Polling stations will open to the public on Thursday, 02 March,.
Date Announced For Next Assembly Election
Northern Ireland Secretary of State James Brokenshire has set a date for the next Assembly election following the collapse of Stormont over the botched Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme. Polling stations will open to the public on Thursday, 02 March,.
11 October 2007
Arbitration Not Binding In Lecturers' Pay Dispute
The conclusions that are eventually reached by a newly appointed independent facilitator in the long-running industrial dispute by college and university lecturers will not be binding – despite the Minister, Sir Reg Empey’s hopes that this will facilitate a speedy settlement.
Arbitration Not Binding In Lecturers' Pay Dispute
The conclusions that are eventually reached by a newly appointed independent facilitator in the long-running industrial dispute by college and university lecturers will not be binding – despite the Minister, Sir Reg Empey’s hopes that this will facilitate a speedy settlement.
05 July 2002
Confidential report into Castlereagh in Reid’s hands
A confidential report into the break-in at Belfast’s police headquarters has been received by the Northern Ireland Secretary of State, John Reid. The report by Sir John Chilcot is one of two investigations into the robbery of Special Branch files at the Castlereagh complex on St Patrick’s Day this year.
Confidential report into Castlereagh in Reid’s hands
A confidential report into the break-in at Belfast’s police headquarters has been received by the Northern Ireland Secretary of State, John Reid. The report by Sir John Chilcot is one of two investigations into the robbery of Special Branch files at the Castlereagh complex on St Patrick’s Day this year.
27 May 2014
Former UUP Leader Sir John Gorman Dies Aged 91
Former Ulster Unionist leader and WWII veteran Sir John Gorman has died aged 91. A Catholic from County Tyrone, Sir John Gorman represented North Down in the Northern Ireland Assembly in 1998. He served in the Irish Guards in World War II and was awarded the British military cross and the French Croix de Guerre.
Former UUP Leader Sir John Gorman Dies Aged 91
Former Ulster Unionist leader and WWII veteran Sir John Gorman has died aged 91. A Catholic from County Tyrone, Sir John Gorman represented North Down in the Northern Ireland Assembly in 1998. He served in the Irish Guards in World War II and was awarded the British military cross and the French Croix de Guerre.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.