FORMER POLICE OFFICER Jon Burrows has become the new Ulster Unionist leader, while Diana Armstrong has become deputy leader.

Burrows entered politics six months ago after being co-opted by the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) to fill an Assembly seat vacancy in North Antrim last year.

Burrows ran unopposed for the role of UUP leader.

The UUP is the fourth largest party in the Stormont Assembly. It won just nine seats in 2022. Burrows has spoken of ambitions to restore the party back to the helm.

Before entering politics Burrows spent 22 years’ in the police service, including as head of the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s (PSNI) discipline branch, and then established himself as a political commentator.

After leaving the PSNI in 2021, Burrows was critical of policing aspects via the Burrows Blog, social media and both broadcast and print media.

During Burrows’ first media interviews as an MLA, he dismissed questions over whether he would like to some day lead the party by saying they were not “serious”. Less than a year later, he made a bid, describing a need for “fresh talent”.

SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP congratulated Jon Burrows on his election as UUP Leader.

Speaking after his ratification, Claire Hanna MP said:  “I want to offer congratulations to Jon Burrows as he takes up the role of UUP Leader. 

“Political leadership is never easy. It carries significant responsibility, but also the opportunity to make a real difference for the people we represent.”

With additional reporting from PA