ALLIANCE LEADER David Ford has taken up office as Minister for Justice in the Stormont Executive after his election by cross-community vote in the Assembly.
As the first locally elected justice minister in 38 years, Mr Ford assumes political responsibility for the police, the courts and the prison service.
His election, which was widely tipped, was facilitated by a decision by both Sinn Féin and the DUP not to nominate a justice candidate. Without the support of the two largest parties, candidates from both the Ulster Unionists and the SDLP could not win the required votes from unionists and nationalist in the Assembly to reach the required cross-community threshold.
Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey caused surprise by proposing his deputy leader Danny Kennedy as minister for justice. It had been thought that the party, which did not back the devolution of justice powers, would not make a nomination.
He said Mr Kennedy’s membership of the policing board and his position as Assembly member in the Border constituency of Newry and Armagh made him a strong candidate.
Referring to the bombing near MI5 headquarters by dissident republicans just minutes after the transfer of justice powers from London in the early hours of yesterday, Sir Reg said: “Let there be no doubt that whatever challenge is made, is made to all of us.”
The Assembly rejected Mr Kennedy’s candidacy as the vote failed to make the required cross-community standard.
Of the 86 votes cast, Mr Kennedy received 51 unionist-designated votes, but 26 nationalists and nine others voted No.
SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie welcomed the devolution of justice powers and criticised those who carried out the bombing close to MI5 headquarters.
Proposing Alban Maginness as minister, she criticised what she called the DUP’s “inbuilt veto” which would be used to ensure that no nationalist candidate would be elected.
She said this veto was engineered by Sinn Féin, claiming that if that party could not propose a candidate it would ensure that no other nationalist could either.
Of the 85 votes cast, 42 nationalists voted for Mr Maginness, 33 unionists against, one unionist voted for and nine others who all voted against.
Alliance deputy leader Naomi Long then proposed party leader David Ford as minister.
“I know him as a person and a politician and I know the calibre of the person I am rising to nominate. He has shown a consistent and deep-seated commitment to serving everyone in our community without fear or favour and irrespective of religion, class, colour, nationality, gender, sexuality or disability.”
Ms Long recognised that both the Ulster Unionists and the SDLP had their candidates, but she appealed to those parties to back Mr Ford.
Of the 102 votes cast, 26 nationalists out of 42 voted for Mr Ford, 34 unionists out of 51 voted for and nine of nine others voted for. The vote to appoint Mr Ford was carried by “parallel consent”.
He affirmed the terms of the pledge of office and was accepted by the Speaker. Mr Ford said it was a key advance in the peace and political process. “I am fully conscious that I am not the unanimous choice of this Assembly but I do say to every member of this house, that we have a duty together to provide leadership and if we didn’t know that before, we sadly had a reminder of it at 12.30 this morning.
“We have a duty to show we can provide partnership, leadership and delivery, and ensure that all our people see the benefits of devolution.”
His election was welcomed by each of the party leaders in turn.