Coleraine councillor Billy Leonard was selected by the republican party last month to replace East Londonderry representative Francie Brolly.

The 55-year-old, a former member of the SDLP, will formally take his seat at Stormont next month.

Describing himself as a one-time "unionist with a small u", the Lurgan native now labels himself as a "very contented Irishman".

In a remarkable transition from Orange to Green, Mr Leonard is today a firm advocate of the ultimate republican ideal.

"I do believe in a united Ireland," he told the News Letter.

"I believe that partition was ultimately a bad mistake for Ireland as a whole and an identity was created that was compromised - witnessed by over four decades of misrule. Something that was formed on a sectarian headcount obviously posed problems both for the people that were dominant and for those that were dominated."

Stressing unionists have nothing to fear from such a political arrangement, Mr Leonard added: "The south has evolved over the decades of partition and I think there have been many moves where Protestants or unionists would be going into a society that would have equality and fair play at the heart of it. I know it would be a step of great magnitude but looking beyond to a settled united Ireland, I think Protestants would have equal rights in everything across the board."

While not tying himself to a date, the Portstewart man believes as the Union is evolving, politics here could change "very quickly".

"I am hopeful any such debate would be on a mature level and in a peaceful context where people would not be afraid to talk about it," he said.

Describing his journey from a one-time Protestant churchgoer to republican politician, Mr Leonard said his "biggest transition" was the move from being "born into a British-unionist tradition to being very content with an Irish identity".

"This in turn emanated from having a real interest in Irish history and politics. I would have been taught in a state school Irish history from a British perspective and would have questioned that.

"Over a period of time I became a very contented Irishman with a very strong Irish identity."

Mr Leonard recalls his decision to join the Orange Order as one taken "mainly as a young fella with a bunch of mates".

"I did not last a very long time. It just wasn't for me and I resigned of my own accord reasonably promptly," he said.

He admits his choice to join the RUC was a much "bigger one" - taken after having a conversation with friends as to how they reacted to the Troubles.

"I made a decision to make a contribution," he said.

"Ironically, my time in the reserve was part of a sharp learning curve as a young man.