Menu
17/06/2002
DUP electoral challenge brought to House of Lords
The House of Lords has heard that the election of David Trimble and Mark Durkan as First and Deputy First Minister of the Northern Ireland Executive last November was “invalid”.
The Democratic Unionist Party is challenging the election of Mr Trimble and Mark Durkan claiming they took place outside a designated six-week period.
John Larkin QC, representing DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson, told five Law Lords today: “If, as we say, the election was invalid, those offices are invalidly filled.”
The DUP’s case centres on a decision taken by the Secretary of State Dr John Reid to allow Mr Trimble and Mr Durkan’s election to proceed after the assembly failed to elect a first and Deputy First Minister by the deadline on midnight on Saturday November 3rd.
The DUP also opposes the decision of Dr Reid not to call fresh Assembly elections before May next year.
In March the Court of Appeal dismissed the case but the decision of the three judges was split.
Lord Justices Nicholson and McCollum dismissed the appeal while the Lord Chief Justice Sir Robert Carswell upheld Mr Robinson’s appeal.
The court then gave leave for appeal to the House of Lords.
The hearing is expected to last two days.
(AMcE)
The Democratic Unionist Party is challenging the election of Mr Trimble and Mark Durkan claiming they took place outside a designated six-week period.
John Larkin QC, representing DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson, told five Law Lords today: “If, as we say, the election was invalid, those offices are invalidly filled.”
The DUP’s case centres on a decision taken by the Secretary of State Dr John Reid to allow Mr Trimble and Mr Durkan’s election to proceed after the assembly failed to elect a first and Deputy First Minister by the deadline on midnight on Saturday November 3rd.
The DUP also opposes the decision of Dr Reid not to call fresh Assembly elections before May next year.
In March the Court of Appeal dismissed the case but the decision of the three judges was split.
Lord Justices Nicholson and McCollum dismissed the appeal while the Lord Chief Justice Sir Robert Carswell upheld Mr Robinson’s appeal.
The court then gave leave for appeal to the House of Lords.
The hearing is expected to last two days.
(AMcE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 June 2002
Lord’s reserve judgement on DUP bid to overturn election
The House of Lords has reserved judgement in a legal challenge to the election of Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers last year. The Democratic Unionist Party’s Peter Robinson is challenging the election of Mr Trimble and Mark Durkan, claiming the vote took place outside a designated six-week period.
Lord’s reserve judgement on DUP bid to overturn election
The House of Lords has reserved judgement in a legal challenge to the election of Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers last year. The Democratic Unionist Party’s Peter Robinson is challenging the election of Mr Trimble and Mark Durkan, claiming the vote took place outside a designated six-week period.
26 July 2002
Reid hits out at election challenge
Secretary of State Dr John Reid has hit out at the DUP over its decision to mount a legal challenge over the election of David Trimble and Mark Durkan as First and Deputy First Minister's last November.
Reid hits out at election challenge
Secretary of State Dr John Reid has hit out at the DUP over its decision to mount a legal challenge over the election of David Trimble and Mark Durkan as First and Deputy First Minister's last November.
25 July 2002
Law Lords reject DUP Stormont appeal
The UK's highest court of appeal has dismissed a bid by the anti-agreement DUP to declare the elections of the first and deputy first minister last November as unlawful.
Law Lords reject DUP Stormont appeal
The UK's highest court of appeal has dismissed a bid by the anti-agreement DUP to declare the elections of the first and deputy first minister last November as unlawful.
14 November 2024
Ministers Recognise Work Of US Special Envoy Joe Kennedy
The First Minister and deputy First Minister has thanked U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs, Joe Kennedy III, for his contribution to furthering economic links with the U.S. The Special Envoy is in Belfast for a series of events marking his term in office.
Ministers Recognise Work Of US Special Envoy Joe Kennedy
The First Minister and deputy First Minister has thanked U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs, Joe Kennedy III, for his contribution to furthering economic links with the U.S. The Special Envoy is in Belfast for a series of events marking his term in office.
06 June 2006
Trimble takes seat in House of Lords
Former UUP leader David Trimble has today officially taken his seat in the House of Lords. Mr Trimble, who was appointed to the position in April, is now to be known as Lord Trimble of Lisnagarvey. Lord Trimble was one of four new peers from Northern Ireland created on the last working peers list in April.
Trimble takes seat in House of Lords
Former UUP leader David Trimble has today officially taken his seat in the House of Lords. Mr Trimble, who was appointed to the position in April, is now to be known as Lord Trimble of Lisnagarvey. Lord Trimble was one of four new peers from Northern Ireland created on the last working peers list in April.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
