NEWS

On the run, convicted murderer Gary Anderson Saturday 19 September 2026 Justice Minister Naomi Long has ordered an urgent investigation into the handling of convicted murderer Gary Anderson’s temporary release, after a High Court judgment exposed incorrect risk information and recorded that an opportunity to reconsider the refusal of release had been declined. Anderson, who was convicted of murdering Karol Kelly, subsequently absconded. The case has prompted Ulster Unionist P

Northern Ireland’s trials of the facts procedure is to undergo an independent review following concerns about how the justice system serves victims when an accused person is found unfit to stand trial. Justice Minister Naomi Long and Health Minister Robbie Butler have agreed to commission the joint review, according to a statement from Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows MLA. The party said a joint letter from the ministers confirmed that an independent external reviewer

Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows is pressing Justice Minister Naomi Long for answers over the release of at large prisoner Gary Anderson (centre) Police are continuing to seek convicted murderer Gary Anderson as political pressure grows for a full explanation of how he came to be temporarily released from prison despite the Prison Service having initially decided he was unsuitable for compassionate temporary release. Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows MLA has de

CGI design drawing of the proposed new Ballymena Health, Leisure and Wellbeing Centre Consultancy and related expenditure disclosed across four major Mid and East Antrim Borough Council projects had reached more than £3.55 million by the end of June — including almost £1.14 million across two Ballymena projects. The figures have prompted Ulster Unionist Party Braid Councillor Alan Barr to press the council over whether delays, changes or contract extensions could result in fu

Ulster Unionist East Antrim MLA John Stewart Ulster Unionist MLA John Stewart has accused First Minister Michelle O’Neill of engaging in “smoke and mirrors” as she joins nationalist leaders from Wales, Scotland and Ireland in Cardiff today for talks focused on greater co-operation and constitutional change. Speaking on Sunday (August 13), the East Antrim MLA said any declaration agreed by Sinn Féin, the SNP and Plaid Cymru could not be made on behalf of Northern Ireland or it

Ballymena Town Hall, and (inset) Braid Councillor Alan Barr Mid and East Antrim councillors have backed a call for a dedicated Stormont funding programme to help community groups tackle weeds, litter and neglected public spaces across the borough. The proposal would provide financial support for community organisations and social enterprises carrying out environmental improvements, although several councillors cautioned that any new scheme must not allow councils or other sta

Girls across Northern Ireland will be guaranteed the choice to wear trousers as part of their school uniform under revised legally binding guidelines issued by Education Minister Paul Givan. Ulster Unionist Party leader and Education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA has welcomed the move as a “common-sense outcome”, while claiming the Minister could have resolved the issue earlier without the Education Committee having to pursue legislation. The revised Department of Education gu

Tesco has been urged to include Northern Ireland customers in future fuel promotions after shoppers here were excluded from a 5% offer available across Great Britain. Ulster Unionist Party leader and North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows has written directly to Tesco’s Chief Executive over the issue, arguing that customers in Northern Ireland should not be left at a disadvantage when major UK retailers launch promotions. The intervention follows an earlier complaint which resulted in

Inset: UUP Infrastructure spokesperson John Stewart MLA The Ulster Unionist Party has confirmed it will oppose the proposed Display of Flags and Emblems Bill at Second Stage, arguing that responsibility for deciding which flags should be removed should not be placed on the Department for Infrastructure. UUP Infrastructure spokesperson John Stewart MLA said his party supports the removal of paramilitary flags but believes the proposed legislation risks drawing civil servants i

(L-R): Ballymena Councillor Rodney Quigley and Ulster Unionist Party Leader & North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows Cross-community cooperation behind the scenes has been credited with helping secure the return of flags stolen from Ballymena’s Somme Memorial, as work continues to prepare for their reinstatement at the Queen Street site. The flags have already been safely returned to the 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles Memorial Association after being recovered in Londonderry. Attent

Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows Unionism must confront its past mistakes and give people practical reasons to support Northern Ireland remaining within the United Kingdom rather than relying on traditional identity and inherited allegiance, UUP leader Jon Burrows has argued. The North Antrim MLA has set out a striking assessment of the challenges facing unionism, acknowledging previous strategic failures while warning that constantly portraying Northern Ireland as ne

Inset: Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows MLA New support for newly qualified teachers must come with protected time and proper resources rather than adding to already heavy workloads, Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows MLA has warned. His comments follow the launch of an enhanced induction programme for teachers beginning their careers in Northern Ireland, including a new online learning platform alongside face-to-face training and live webinars. While welcoming

Dr Kathryn Owen with Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows MLA A former DUP councillor has been selected to contest Belfast South and Mid Down for the Ulster Unionist Party in next year’s Northern Ireland Assembly election. Dr Kathryn Owen, a former RAF medic and healthcare professional, will stand for the UUP in the constituency after previously serving in local government as a DUP representative. The selection represents a notable political switch ahead of the election,

Ulster Unionist Party Braid representative Samantha Patton Residents’ fears over speeding through Moorfields have prompted calls for increased police enforcement and an urgent review of road safety measures amid warnings that someone could be seriously injured or killed. Braid Ulster Unionist Councillor Alan Barr and party representative Sam Patton raised the issue after concerns were brought to them by a resident living on Kilgad Road. The resident reported vehicles travelli

Former chief executive of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Anne Donaghy, and (inset) UUP Party Leader Jon Burrows Ulster Unionist Party leader and North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows has called for former Mid and East Antrim Borough Council chief executive Anne Donaghy to be stripped of her OBE following her conviction on two charges connected to the deletion of an email to prevent its disclosure under Freedom of Information law. Mr Burrows has written to the Honours Forfeiture

A High Court ruling that the Parades Commission acted unlawfully in its handling of the Drumcree parade has triggered demands for the entire Commission to resign, with political pressure now expected to move to Westminster. Mr Justice McAlinden today quashed the Commission’s determination preventing Portadown District Orange Order from completing its traditional church parade along the mainly nationalist Garvaghy Road in Portadown. The court outcome represents a significant d

Jon Burrows MLA pictured with Good Morning Ballymena volunteers at their office on Queen Street A Ballymena service is making more than 700 telephone calls every week, providing companionship, reassurance and a vital point of contact for people who may be living alone, experiencing poor health or feeling isolated. Around 40 volunteers are behind the calls from Good Morning Ballymena, offering members a friendly voice and listening ear while also helping connect people with ac

Young Ballymena tennis star, 10-year-old Emma Maria Mezei who finished runner-up in the William Fry All Ireland U10 Junior Championship Ten-year-old Ballymena tennis player Emma Maria Mezei has been congratulated by North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows after finishing runner-up in the William Fry All Ireland U10 Junior Championships. Emma’s achievement saw her progress from a competition involving around 1,700 young players in regional match plays across Ireland over the past 12 mont

General and colorectal surgeon Damian McKay, NI representative for the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland (ACPGBI) Monday 24 August 2026 A leading Northern Ireland surgeon has warned that prolonged delay over the future of emergency general surgery at Causeway Hospital would place already stretched clinical teams under increasing pressure — as he revealed that he and colleagues sought the intervention of three major surgical associations following even

Causeway Hospital, and (inset) newly appointed Health Minister Robbie Butler Robbie Butler has been confirmed as Northern Ireland’s new Health Minister, taking charge of a health and social care system facing severe waiting-list pressures and major decisions over the future of hospital services. Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows announced the nomination on Thursday, less than two days after Mike Nesbitt resigned amid a political dispute over emergency general surgery a