Former DUP MP Emma Little-Pengeli was co-opted in Lagan Valley after party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson confirmed earlier this week that she would remain as an MP in Westminster.
Little-Pengelly described it as “a privilege to be asked to play this role at this important time for trade unionism and for Northern Ireland”.
“Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has an important task to deal with the continuing problem with the protocol, which is causing indescribable damage to our economy and political stability in Northern Ireland,” she said.
“This requires him to be in London and work closely with the UK government.
“As Sir Jeffrey focuses on this immediate task, I look forward to serving the people of the Lagan Valley with passion and dedication.
In a statement issued by the Northern Ireland Electoral Service, they confirmed that Ms Little-Pengelly had “been returned to serve as a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly from the Lagan Valley constituency”.
Virginia McVeigh, chief voter, added: “Emma Little-Pengeli has been returned as an MLA to fill the vacancy stemming from the resignation of the venerable Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, MP.”
Earlier this week, Mr Donaldson said he would not sit as a WFP in Stormont until the Northern Ireland Protocol was resolved and would retain his seat in the House of Commons as a member of the constituency.
Unionists strongly oppose post-Brexit trade agreements as a border in the Irish Sea.
This also means that he cannot retain his seat in the Lagan Valley after he was recently elected to the assembly poll and had eight days to co-opt a deputy.
The DUP leader told the media earlier that he was committed to leading the party in political institutions in Stormont, but warned him about the decisions contained in the protocol.
In a statement after the news, Mr Donaldson said he had asked Ms Little-Pengelly to represent the place “in the interim”.
“People in the Lagan Valley and throughout Northern Ireland have given me a mandate based on a commitment that we will not nominate ministers to the new Executive Director of Northern Ireland until the problems arising from the Northern Ireland Protocol are resolved satisfactorily and Stormont fails to return on a stable and lasting basis, “he added.
“I will continue as a member of parliament from the Lagan Valley until the protocol issues are resolved.
“It is important that the Protocol be replaced by new arrangements that respect Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom, and as the leader of unionism, this work is in London.
“Emma will be a first-class defender of the people and will work hard to advance issues that matter to everyone in Lagan Valley. Emma is once again moving forward to help shape the cause of the Union, and I welcome her return to our ranks. “
Commenting on the news of Ms. Little-Pengelly’s co-optation of the site, TUV Lagan Valley spokeswoman Lorna Smith said: questions the approach of the DUP to the region.
“Seats in the assembly must be won by gaining the trust of voters in the elections. They are not a game of political parties. “
Ulster Unionist MLA Robbie Butler tweeted: “Now this is a surprise. Well, just a “little surprise”.
The Northern Ireland Assembly is due to convene on Friday for the first time since the historic election results in which Sinn Féin became the first nationalist or Republican party to lead the election.
The first step will be the nomination of a new President, without whom the Assembly cannot sit.
Earlier this week, Sir Jeffrey did not rule out his party refusing to nominate a chairman.
He said on Thursday that the party would decide on Friday whether to run for office.
Ms. Little-Pengeli left the DUP in June last year after being “deeply saddened” by internal party battles following the election of former leader Edwin Putts during the party’s troubled summer.
Following the removal of Arlene Foster as party leader, Ms Little-Pengelly said she was “devastated” and asked Mr Putz not to reveal her name for “special adviser or other post” within the DUP.
Ms Little-Pengelly took on a special advisory role as a former prime minister in the executive office after losing her position as an MP from South Belfast to SDLP’s Claire Hanna in the 2019 general election.
Ms. Little-Pengelly was also an MLA for South Belfast from 2015 to 2017 – a place where she was also co-opted.
She has recently worked as a lawyer in Belfast and has also been a well-known voice on television and radio, appearing regularly as a commentator during election coverage of the Assembly.
MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said
“People in the Lagan Valley and throughout Northern Ireland have given me a mandate based on a commitment that we will not nominate ministers to the new Executive Director of Northern Ireland until the problems arising from the Northern Ireland Protocol are resolved satisfactorily and Stormont fails to return to a stable and durable foundation.
I will continue as an Lagan Valley MP until the protocol issues are resolved. It is important to replace the Protocol with a new one …
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