Covid grant of £1.5m to Royal County Down G olf Club despite ‘significant bank balance’

Dear reader

Confirmation that Sir Jeffrey Donaldson had become leader of the DUP certainly came in less dramatic fashion than that of his predecessor Edwin Poots.

The Lagan Valley MP was unelected opposed on Tuesday, just a matter of weeks after he lost out narrowly to Mr Poots following what was a tense leadership campaign.

The contrast with Sir Jeffrey’s elevation to the top post could barely have been more pronounced, with the warring factions of the party putting their differences aside to unite behind the experienced representative.

Sir Jeffrey has also made it clear that a resolution over the Northern Ireland Protocol is his first priority, with First Minister Paul Givan agreeing that it has created “instability” in Northern Ireland.

The centenary of Northern Ireland’s first parliament was celebrated on Tuesday and to mark that significant anniversary, former first minister Peter Robinson wrote an article that appeared in our special print supplement.

Mr Robinson reflects on how he came to love the country and was later to lead.

Alistair Bushe
Editor

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