Doug Beattie

Carla Lockhart has left open the possibility of running in May's Assembly election. Pic: Mark Marlow/PA Wire

Carla Lockhart doesn't rule out Assembly election run

At the heart of Stormont lies a dysfunctional Executive, writes Doug Beattie

Doug Beattie: Stormont reform can no longer be treated as optional

Screenshot from an SDLP video announcing Linzi McLaren's candidature for next year's Assembly poll.

Former UUP councillor to run for SDLP in next May's Assembly election

The Ulster Unionist Party has selected Councillor Kyle Savage as its candidate for Upper Bann in next May's Assembly election

Ulster Unionists select Kyle Savage as Upper Bann candidate

Mike Nesbitt quit as health minister, apparently expressing regret at having brought Jon Burrows into Stormont. Pic Liam McBurney/PA Wire

The 'Dear Jon' letter which ended an awkward and short-lived political marriage

Why does the UK government appear hesitant to speak with confidence about the Union?

Letters: Fears over government commitment to the Union

Ulster Unionist MLA Alan Chambers is reportedly keen to contest his North Down seat for the party once more, amid reports he has been dropped. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Deselection battle MLA Alan Chambers 'wants to fight Assembly seat for UUP'

A Women's Rights Network event in Belfast went ahead after being cancelled by the West Belfast Festival.

Women's Rights Network event goes ahead in Belfast

Maya Forstater and Helen Joyce from the human rights charity Sex Matters, arriving in Belfast for a WRN event.

No nationalist would back women's rights event at Stormont - MLA

Independent unionist MLA Doug Beattie.

Stormont mooted as potential new venue for cancelled WRN event

Former NI secretary Hilary Benn appeared to be genuinely interested in Northern Ireland and its people

Letter: Some advice for new NI secretary on legacy

LGBTQ+ campaigners have made banning so-called conversion therapy a key demand in recent years. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Beattie comes out against Alliance 'conversion therapy' ban

UUP MLA Alan Chambers. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

UUP MLAs keep schtum on reasoning behind child crime vote

UUP MLA Robbie Butler. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

UUP MLAs who signed petition of concern back bid to raise child crime age

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn was not in office until after Jeffrey Donaldson was charged. Pic: Yui Mok/PA Wire

Northern Ireland Office says there's 'no evidence' it was told about Donaldson

Jacqui Durkin has been appointed as the new Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland.

MLA calls for fundamental review of Police Ombudsman's office
Measures should be put in place to ensure greater accountability for the Police Ombudsman and stop vexatious complaints against PSNI officers a unionist MLA has said, as a successor to Marie Anderson is appointed.
David Thompson

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson arriving at Newry Crown Court on Monday June 22, 2026. Picture: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Arrest of Jeffrey Donaldson came at the height of his political powers

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Lady Victoria Starmer outside 10 Downing Street, as he announced his resignation. Pic: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire

Prime Minister's resignation an 'opportunity to get UK back on track' - DUP

Independent Unionist MLA Doug Beattie says the ruling is a 'wake-up call' for the Department of Justice and the Justice Minister

Judge ruling over housing trans inmates in women’s jails is 'a wake-up call'

Independent unionist MLA Doug Beattie.

Beattie defends child crime proposal after expert brands it 'arbitrary cut off'

Jon Burrows has made a decent start as UUP leader but still has much to prove

Owen Polley: Nothing to suggest Burrows is a hardline UUP leader

UUP MLA Steve Aiken .

Ulster Unionist MLA warns internal division 'achieves nothing but failure'

The Ulster Unionist deputy leader Diana Armstrong MLA and Jon Burrows MLA on the day he was ratified as UUP leader at the Stormont Hotel in east Belfast, speaking to Baroness (Daphne) Trimble, widow of the former UUP leader David Trimble, on Saturday January 31, 2026. Pic: Mark Marlow/PA Wire

Ben Lowry: UUP has defied obituarists but faces crisis if Jon Burrows is ousted

Doug Beattie's farewell statement referred to the UUP's 'progressive and moderate outlook'

Letter: Unionism must set the political agenda

UUP boss Jon Burrows and deputy leader Diana Armstrong don't have the backing of a majority of UUP MLAs. Pic: Mark Marlow/PA Wire

MLA backs Burrows leadership amid UUP turmoil over Doug Beattie's resignation

Morning View

Editorial: Burrows critics seem to be hiding behind anonymity

Jon Burrows has warned about the ability of police to investigate crimes if Stormont changes the law on the minimum age of criminal responsibility.

Beattie child criminal proposal at heart of UUP row still on the table
Doug Beattie may have left the UUP but a controversial proposal which put Jon Burrows at odds with his MLA team remains on the table – with the party’s Stormont group potentially facing a choice over who they are going to back.
David Thompson

UUP leader Jon Burrows MLA said he 'did not recognise' Doug Beattie's characterisation of him. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Jon Burrows 'deeply disappointed' by Doug Beattie's resignation letter criticism

Former UUP leader Doug Beattie quit the party, citing a "toxic atmosphere" under its current leadership. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Doug Beattie seeking legal advice over 'aggressive' claim by UUP group

UUP leader Jon Burrows MLA at Parliament Buildings, Stormont. He has yet to speak publicly about the resignation of Doug Beattie from the party. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Anonymous Ulster Unionist MLAs criticise Jon Burrows leadership

UUP MLA Alan Chambers

UUP man rejects idea that MLAs have to pay the party dues

Jon Burrows and Diana Armstrong have the backing of party members, but not their MLA team at Stormont. Pic: Mark Marlow/PA Wire

Ulster Unionists in turmoil as internal conflicts boil over

Jon Burrows and Diana Armstrong were often the only UUP MLAs in the Assembly chamber in Monday, joined here by Alan Chambers.

Burrows insistence that all MLAs paid party fuelled UUP tensions at Stormont

Doug Beattie has admitted me lied in a social media clip about canvassing with two UUP councillors who were not with him.

Doug Beattie admits lying over claim he was canvassing with UUP men

Doug Beattie has quit the Ulster Unionist Party after weeks of rows within the party.

Doug Beattie quits UUP - party says he was facing 'conduct' probe

Ulster Unionist leader Jon Burrows described his relationship with councillors and party members as 'warm'

Burrows says relations with MLAs 'constructive' after turbulent week in UUP

Doug Beattie's future in the UUP looks increasingly untenable given internal disputes with members and the leadership.

Ulster Unionist crisis looming amid Beattie and Burrows tension

Justice minister Naomi Long has cancelled a consultation into hiking the price of a gun licence

Naomi Long withdraws proposal to increase firearms licensing fees

Doug Beattie has been fighting for his political future since it was mooted that he may be deselected for next year's assembly elections

Letter: Beattie deselection would be a big blunder

Enoch Burke has repeatedly argued the direction was unconstitutional and went against his right to express his religious beliefs.

Enoch Burke officially sacked after appeals panel upholds school’s decision

Pacemaker Press Belfast 03-02-2024: The Northern Ireland Assembly in Stormont is meeting following a two-year hiatus after the collapse of power-sharing.
Michelle O'Neill, Sinn FŽin's deputy leader, is set to make history as the first nationalist to hold the role of first minister at the assembly.
Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie and members of his party pictured in the Great hall in Stormont.
Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. :Images from Parliament Buildings at Stormont on Saturday, February 3 2024

Doug Beattie could be picked to run as one of two UUP candidates

ECNI chief Geraldine McGahey (left) and her NIHRC counterpart Alyson Kilpatrick

Owen Polley: Activist quangos have debased human rights and equality

Jon Burrows has said it would not be appropriate for him to comment on selection processes.

Burrows won't intervene in selection process - but praises 'exceptional' Beattie

UUP MLA Doug Beattie is battling to keep his Stormont seat as his local association looks set to deselect him.

Doug Beattie does not rule out joining another party as he faces deselection

Doug Beattie is facing deselection by his local constituency association

Doug Beattie in fight to save Stormont seat as local party set to oust him

Pacemaker Press Belfast 03-02-2024: The Northern Ireland Assembly in Stormont is meeting following a two-year hiatus after the collapse of power-sharing.
Michelle O'Neill, Sinn FŽin's deputy leader, is set to make history as the first nationalist to hold the role of first minister at the assembly.
Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie and members of his party pictured in the Great hall in Stormont.
Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. :Images from Parliament Buildings at Stormont on Saturday, February 3 2024

NI equality bodies ‘joining United Ireland lobby’ - UUP

UUP leader Jon Burrows has warned about the ability of police to do their job under proposed law changes proposed by Alliance.

PSNI hands could be tied on rioting teens – UUP leader warns

Justice Minister Naomi Long meeting PSNI officers at Lurgan police station, after an attempted dissident bombing in April. Photo: Matt Mackey/PA Wire

Alliance quizzed on what services it would cut to fund more justice spending

UUP leader Jon Burrows.

Alliance plan to raise age of criminal responsibility 'dangerous' - Jon Burrows

UUP MLA Doug Beattie has floated the idea of raising the age of criminal responsibility to 12 - while Alliance want it at 14.

Stormont row over legal age limits to deal with child criminals

Mike Nesbitt's officials have now confirmed the prescription of controversial drugs was stopped in Northern Ireland last month. Photo credit: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

NI stopped prescribing controversial hormones to teens last month

Editorial: Stormont fails to provide scrutiny of justice minister

The UUP has accused the justice minister Naomi Long of using the police to stifle scrutiny.

Doug Beattie accuses Justice Minister of 'using police to stifle scrutiny'

Deputy Chief Constable of the PSNI Bobby Singleton. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Long complained about UUP press release in WhatsApps to senior PSNI man

DUP MLA Diane Dodds has hit out at rivals' attitudes to hormone blockers being given to children.

DUP in fresh criticism of Ulster Unionists over trans drugs for kids

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