Former senior PSNI officer Jon Burrows has been selected by the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) to replace Colin Crawford as their MLA in North Antrim.
Burrows was up against Glen Miller and Sam Nicholson. Miller stood as the party’s general election candidate in East Londonderry last year. Nicholson is the son of former MEP Jim Nicholson and has served as the Deputy Mayor of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon.
Colin Crawford announced his resignation last month after less than a year in the job. He was at the centre of a row within the UUP when he was chosen to be co-opted to replace Robin Swann after the general election in 2024.
An Ulster Unionist Party spokesperson said, “After a rigorous internal selection process with independent oversight, we can now confirm that Jon Burrows has been selected to fill the vacancy of North Antrim MLA.
“We would like to thank Colin Crawford for his dedicated service to the Assembly over the last year and wish him well with future endeavours.”
Cllr Brian Thompson, Chair of the North Antrim Association, said, “I want to start by thanking Colin for all of his efforts over the last year and wish him well.
“We also want to thank all those who put their name forward and took part in the selection process.
“We are delighted to have Jon on board. Jon is an exceptional individual who has been appointed as the new MLA for North Antrim, and we look forward to working with him over the coming weeks and months ahead.”
Burrows served in the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) for 22 years until his retirement in 2021. He has served as the head of the Professional Standards Department and as Area Commander for Foyle.
He frequently appears as a media commentator on policing and security issues.
After he attended the TUV party conference as a guest speaker earlier this year, there was speculation that he might join them.
