Statement by President Higgins following stepping down of Doug Beattie as UUP leader

Statement by President Higgins following stepping down of Doug Beattie as UUP leader

Date: Mon 19th Aug, 2024 | 17:17

"As President of Ireland, may I offer my best wishes to Mr. Doug Beattie, Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, following his announcement today that he is stepping down from this role. I congratulate him on this leadership over the past three years as well as his committed public service, first as a local representative and later as an MLA for the Upper Bann constituency since 2014.

I have appreciated all of our contact over that time, which was warm and positive on our shared path to peace and reconciliation, North and South. I want to acknowledge also Mr. Beattie's open and courageous recognition of the challenges experienced during and prior to this period which I am sure has helped many others in and beyond his community.

May I extend my good wishes to Doug and his family as they look towards the next chapter of their lives."