The Progressive Unionist Party tonight chose Northern Ireland Policing Board member Dawn Purvis as its new leader.
She was chosen at a meeting of the party executive in Belfast to replace David Ervine who died suddenly two weeks ago, aged 53.
She is the first woman to lead a unionist and loyalist party.
Ms Purvis said: "I am deeply honoured to have been made the leader of the PUP. "However this is also tinged with sadness given the huge loss of David.
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"It is a huge challenge to step into this role, especially after the good work he did. But this gives us an opportunity to rebuild and continue to serve working class loyalists and unionist communities."