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Woman chosen to head Unionist party
The Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) has chosen a woman as its new leader.
Dawn Purvis, the Northern Ireland Policing Board member, 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.
"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."
The party executive also ratified a decision by its East Belfast members to nominate Ms Purvis as its Northern Ireland Assembly election candidate to defend Mr Ervine's seat.
Dr John Kyle is to take the place of the late PUP leader in Belfast City Council.
Mr Ervine died earlier this month after suffering a heart attack, stroke and brain haemorrhage.
The former Ulster Volunteer Force prisoner was his party's only Assembly member. He became leader of the PUP in 2002 after replacing Belfast councillor Hugh Smith.
Hundreds from across the political divide attended his funeral on January 12 at the Methodist Mission in East Belfast in recognition of his contribution to negotiations leading to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.
Qualche informazione in più (che vada oltre al giudizio cauto) su questa signora sarà cosa gradita, grazie.