Former Justice Minister to leave "non-functioning" Stormont

By Q Radio news

Former Alliance Party leader David Ford is stepping aside as a Stormont Assembly member.

He has held his South Antrim seat for 20 years but is now retiring at age 67.

Mr Ford was the first Justice Minister after powers were devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2010.

Former Justice Minister and Alliance party leader David Ford has told Q Radio he’s disappointed there’s no functioning government as he steps down from Stormont. pic.twitter.com/3kjd3aREVi

— Bob Huggins (@BobHuggins13) June 25, 2018

Stormont has been suspended for more than a year and endless rounds of negotiation have failed to find a compromise between Sinn Fein and the DUP.

Mr Ford served as Alliance leader between 2001 and 2016 and was justice minister from 2010-2016.

The former social worker also previously sat as a councillor in Antrim and is current party spokesperson on agriculture, the environment and rural affairs.

Under his leadership, Alliance held two positions in the Executive, while the party became the home of Europe's first Parliamentarian from the Chinese community and saw its first MP elected.

He said: "It has been an enormous privilege to represent the people of South Antrim and the wider Alliance Party for the entire life of the Assembly so far. However, I feel now is the right time for me to step down.

"This will enable my successor to settle in and work in the constituency during the ongoing impasse, then play a full role in the Assembly after it is restored.

"On June 30 I complete 20 years as a member of the Assembly, making it a fitting day to retire, which I do as 'father of the house'.

"Until that point, I will continue to work for my constituents and on anything else the party requires me to do. I will of course remain an active party member and support it in any way I can to continue its trend of growing.

"I am privileged to have been elected by my neighbours in South Antrim on six occasions, and take pride in the legacy I leave in the constituency, in Alliance and in the Department of Justice.

"I know Alliance remains the best vehicle for establishing a united community for everyone in Northern Ireland. I leave the party team in safe hands with the next generation, under the leadership of Naomi Long and Stephen Farry."