East Belfast DUP

05/08/2026

Just days after I issued a statement condemning the disgraceful sectarian attack on the McCurrie & Neill Memorial, it has once again been targeted.

This repeated attack is utterly sickening. It demonstrates a deliberate and sustained campaign of hatred against a memorial dedicated to innocent victims of terrorism. Such behaviour has absolutely no place in a civilised society.

For the second time in just one week, Mr McCurrie's widow, now well into her 90s, has been forced to witness this appalling sectarian attack on the memorial to her late husband. It is difficult to imagine the hurt and distress this repeated targeting will cause her and the wider families of the innocent victims remembered there.

I again call on those responsible to be identified and brought before the courts. This cannot simply be dismissed as mindless vandalism; it is a sectarian attack on the memory of innocent people who lost their lives.

I will continue to press the relevant authorities to ensure the memorial is restored without delay and that every possible step is taken to prevent these shameful attacks from happening again. Those who believe they can intimidate or erase the memory of innocent victims will not succeed.

Democratic Unionist Party
East Belfast DUP

05/08/2026

Writing for Politics.co.uk, Gavin Robinson explains why continued defence investment is important for Harland & Wolff, for skilled jobs and apprenticeships in East Belfast, and for the UK’s ability to build and maintain its own defence equipment.

Harland & Wolff represents more than East Belfast’s proud industrial past. It can be a vital part of the United Kingdom’s defence future.

𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀.𝗰𝗼.𝘂𝗸, I have set out the case for sustained defence investment that supports the shipyard, strengthens our sovereign capability and delivers long-term skilled jobs and apprenticeships.

Northern Ireland is home to a world-class defence industrial base, including Harland & Wolff, Thales, Boeing, Airbus and many more.

Northern Ireland must be fully included in the Government’s defence and industrial strategy, with our businesses given every opportunity to compete, contribute and grow.

Link to article in the comments below.

28/07/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗜𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺

We know 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 the destruction that explosive devices can cause. Decisions of this nature inevitably undermine public confidence and leave many people asking whether sufficient weight is being given to the seriousness of these offences.

I have written to the Irish Justice Minister following the decision to grant bail to a woman charged in connection with the transportation of of a bomb.

07/07/2026

02/06/2026

𝗣𝗢𝗪𝗘𝗥 𝗖𝗨𝗧 𝗜𝗡 𝗗𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗗

𝗣𝗢𝗪𝗘𝗥 𝗖𝗨𝗧 𝗜𝗡 𝗗𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗗

Over 1000 households are without electric in Dundonald. I've spoken with NIE officials.

An engineer is on the way and until they have assessed the situation, they cannot give a definitive time for the power to come on.

The rough ET for repair is 7pm.

24/05/2026

𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲

⚠️ 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲

Update 18:00:
Airport Road has re-opened

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A scrap metal recycling facility is currently on fire in the Harbour Estate. Belfast Harbour Police are currently assisting NIFRS and PSNI.

Queens Road 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗶𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱 are closed to traffic.

A large plume of smoke is affecting parts of Inner East Belfast, including Victoria Park.

Belfast Harbour Police have asked that residents nearby to keep windows and doors closed as a precaution.

Please avoid the immediate area and allow emergency services to carry out their work safely.

I’ll share any further confirmed updates when available.

18/05/2026

17/05/2026

𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮

𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗿𝘂𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮

I’m receiving numerous messages from residents and road users regarding the congestion and poor parking near Stormont.

➡️ 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘁'𝘀 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗖𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗗 to traffic, bar resident access. If you're a resident and you are having issues, additional crew are on their way now, so please speak to officers if you need assistance.

It’s fantastic that we can attract big events such as the Red Bull Soapbox Race, however, residents need to be able to access their homes safely and routes need to keep moving.

PSNI are now asking those who don’t need to be in the vicinity of the Stormont estate to use alternative routes.