Northern Ireland

Who is DUP Junior Minister Gary Middleton?

Gary Middleton. Picture by Tom Heaney, nwpresspics
Gary Middleton. Picture by Tom Heaney, nwpresspics Gary Middleton. Picture by Tom Heaney, nwpresspics

GARY Middleton is returning as a Junior Minister for the executive office having served earlier this year from February to March while Edwin Poots stood aside due to ill health.

He joined the Assembly in April 2015 after being co-opted to replace Foyle MLA Maurice Devenney. At 24 he was then its youngest member.

Four years earlier he had joined Derry City Council, replacing William Hay by co-option and serving as Deputy Mayor.

He was elected to the new Derry City and Strabane District council where he was appointed group leader of the DUP councillors.

From Newbuildings, Co Derry, he is an IT graduate from UU who was a youth worker before turning to politics full-time.

He moved to Bready, Co Tyrone after marrying his wife Julie.

Mr Middleton was the DUP's Foyle candidate in the 2015 general election where he finished third with 12.4 per cent of the vote.