Former Irish senator Ian Marshall joins UUP

Former Irish senator Ian Marshall is to join the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP).

Mr Marshall was the first unionist to be elected to the Republic's upper chamber in 2018, as an independent.

The former Ulster Farmers' Union president lost his seat in the elections for the Seanad (Irish Senate) in April of last year.

The UUP said it was "delighted" to welcome the County Armagh man into its ranks, as it announced the move on Tuesday.

"Ian brings a wealth of experience and commitment that leads me to believe he will be a progressive voice for the future," said party leader Doug Beattie.

"As a senator he ensured the voice of Northern Irish unionism was heard and he tempered those who did not understand unionism in general."

• Ian Marshall loses Irish Seanad seat

Mr Marshall said he had taken the decision to join the party after "careful thought and consideration and conversations with Doug".

"Northern Ireland is at a critical juncture with events such as Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic impacting the lives of many ordinary working people, families, pensioners and students across the province," he said.

"These challenges will demand strong leadership from people who are comfortable and secure in their identity and who believe in the principle of mutual respect and parity of esteem in an open, inclusive, progressive manner."

Mr Marshall previously led the Ulster Farmers' Union and also worked at Queen's University Belfast as a business development manager.

He opposed Brexit and argued the interests of Northern Ireland's farmers would be better served by staying in the European Union.

He was nominated to the Seanad by former Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Leo Varadkar, who had wanted to introduce a unionist perspective to the chamber.

Mr Marshall lost his seat in the elections in April 2020 and failed to win a seat in a subsequent by-election in April of this year.