Northern Ireland

Edwin Poots: Family of Christopher Stalford asked me to become MLA in south Belfast

Former DUP leader Edwin Poots
Former DUP leader Edwin Poots Former DUP leader Edwin Poots

DUP Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots is to replace Christopher Stalford as the party’s MLA in south Belfast.

Mr Stalford, a 39-year-old father of four, died suddenly last month.

Mr Poots is currently an MLA in Lagan Valley.

Announcing the switch, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said: “We are bound by the rules of the Assembly which requires us to appoint a replacement within seven days of a vacancy arising.

“Edwin (Poots) has been selected to be the member for south Belfast, to continue following in Christopher’s footsteps in representing the people of this constituency.

“This almost concludes our selection process for the Assembly elections.

“We just now need to select candidates in Lagan Valley and then we will be in a position to ratify all of our candidates.”

 An emotional Edwin Poots leaves the funeral of Christopher Stalford DUP MLA at Presbyterian Church, Belfast. The 39-year-old father of four, who was principal deputy speaker of the Stormont Assembly, died suddenly on Ferbuary 19. Picture date: Saturday February 26, 2022.
 An emotional Edwin Poots leaves the funeral of Christopher Stalford DUP MLA at Presbyterian Church, Belfast. The 39-year-old father of four, who was principal deputy speaker of the Stormont Assembly, died suddenly on Ferbuary 19. Picture date: Satur  An emotional Edwin Poots leaves the funeral of Christopher Stalford DUP MLA at Presbyterian Church, Belfast. The 39-year-old father of four, who was principal deputy speaker of the Stormont Assembly, died suddenly on Ferbuary 19. Picture date: Saturday February 26, 2022.
 An emotional Edwin Poots leaves the funeral of Christopher Stalford DUP MLA at Presbyterian Church, Belfast. The 39-year-old father of four, who was principal deputy speaker of the Stormont Assembly, died suddenly on Ferbuary 19. Picture date: Saturday February 26, 2022.
 An emotional Edwin Poots leaves the funeral of Christopher Stalford DUP MLA at Presbyterian Church, Belfast. The 39-year-old father of four, who was principal deputy speaker of the Stormont Assembly, died suddenly on Ferbuary 19. Picture date: Satur  An emotional Edwin Poots leaves the funeral of Christopher Stalford DUP MLA at Presbyterian Church, Belfast. The 39-year-old father of four, who was principal deputy speaker of the Stormont Assembly, died suddenly on Ferbuary 19. Picture date: Saturday February 26, 2022.
 An emotional Edwin Poots leaves the funeral of Christopher Stalford DUP MLA at Presbyterian Church, Belfast. The 39-year-old father of four, who was principal deputy speaker of the Stormont Assembly, died suddenly on Ferbuary 19. Picture date: Saturday February 26, 2022.
 An emotional Edwin Poots leaves the funeral of Christopher Stalford DUP MLA at Presbyterian Church, Belfast. The 39-year-old father of four, who was principal deputy speaker of the Stormont Assembly, died suddenly on Ferbuary 19. Picture date: Satur  An emotional Edwin Poots leaves the funeral of Christopher Stalford DUP MLA at Presbyterian Church, Belfast. The 39-year-old father of four, who was principal deputy speaker of the Stormont Assembly, died suddenly on Ferbuary 19. Picture date: Saturday February 26, 2022.
 An emotional Edwin Poots leaves the funeral of Christopher Stalford DUP MLA at Presbyterian Church, Belfast. The 39-year-old father of four, who was principal deputy speaker of the Stormont Assembly, died suddenly on Ferbuary 19. Picture date: Saturday February 26, 2022.
 An emotional Edwin Poots leaves the funeral of Christopher Stalford DUP MLA at Presbyterian Church, Belfast. The 39-year-old father of four, who was principal deputy speaker of the Stormont Assembly, died suddenly on Ferbuary 19. Picture date: Satur  An emotional Edwin Poots leaves the funeral of Christopher Stalford DUP MLA at Presbyterian Church, Belfast. The 39-year-old father of four, who was principal deputy speaker of the Stormont Assembly, died suddenly on Ferbuary 19. Picture date: Saturday February 26, 2022.
 An emotional Edwin Poots leaves the funeral of Christopher Stalford DUP MLA at Presbyterian Church, Belfast. The 39-year-old father of four, who was principal deputy speaker of the Stormont Assembly, died suddenly on Ferbuary 19. Picture date: Saturday February 26, 2022.
 An emotional Edwin Poots leaves the funeral of Christopher Stalford DUP MLA at Presbyterian Church, Belfast. The 39-year-old father of four, who was principal deputy speaker of the Stormont Assembly, died suddenly on Ferbuary 19. Picture date: Satur  An emotional Edwin Poots leaves the funeral of Christopher Stalford DUP MLA at Presbyterian Church, Belfast. The 39-year-old father of four, who was principal deputy speaker of the Stormont Assembly, died suddenly on Ferbuary 19. Picture date: Saturday February 26, 2022.
 An emotional Edwin Poots leaves the funeral of Christopher Stalford DUP MLA at Presbyterian Church, Belfast. The 39-year-old father of four, who was principal deputy speaker of the Stormont Assembly, died suddenly on Ferbuary 19. Picture date: Saturday February 26, 2022.
 An emotional Edwin Poots leaves the funeral of Christopher Stalford DUP MLA at Presbyterian Church, Belfast. The 39-year-old father of four, who was principal deputy speaker of the Stormont Assembly, died suddenly on Ferbuary 19. Picture date: Satur  An emotional Edwin Poots leaves the funeral of Christopher Stalford DUP MLA at Presbyterian Church, Belfast. The 39-year-old father of four, who was principal deputy speaker of the Stormont Assembly, died suddenly on Ferbuary 19. Picture date: Saturday February 26, 2022.
 An emotional Edwin Poots leaves the funeral of Christopher Stalford DUP MLA at Presbyterian Church, Belfast. The 39-year-old father of four, who was principal deputy speaker of the Stormont Assembly, died suddenly on Ferbuary 19. Picture date: Saturday February 26, 2022.
 An emotional Edwin Poots leaves the funeral of Christopher Stalford DUP MLA at Presbyterian Church, Belfast. The 39-year-old father of four, who was principal deputy speaker of the Stormont Assembly, died suddenly on Ferbuary 19. Picture date: Satur  An emotional Edwin Poots leaves the funeral of Christopher Stalford DUP MLA at Presbyterian Church, Belfast. The 39-year-old father of four, who was principal deputy speaker of the Stormont Assembly, died suddenly on Ferbuary 19. Picture date: Saturday February 26, 2022.
 An emotional Edwin Poots leaves the funeral of Christopher Stalford DUP MLA at Presbyterian Church, Belfast. The 39-year-old father of four, who was principal deputy speaker of the Stormont Assembly, died suddenly on Ferbuary 19. Picture date: Saturday February 26, 2022.
 An emotional Edwin Poots leaves the funeral of Christopher Stalford DUP MLA at Presbyterian Church, Belfast. The 39-year-old father of four, who was principal deputy speaker of the Stormont Assembly, died suddenly on Ferbuary 19. Picture date: Satur  An emotional Edwin Poots leaves the funeral of Christopher Stalford DUP MLA at Presbyterian Church, Belfast. The 39-year-old father of four, who was principal deputy speaker of the Stormont Assembly, died suddenly on Ferbuary 19. Picture date: Saturday February 26, 2022.