The deputy leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) will not contest the upcoming Assembly elections in Northern Ireland. Paula Bradley has told her party that she will not run in the poll in early May.
The PA news agency understands she is not leaving the DUP, but is not contesting the election for family reasons. Ms Bradley, who represents the North Belfast constituency, will continue as the deputy leader of the party until at least the annual general meeting in June.
The popular politician, seen as one of the more liberal voices in the DUP, became deputy leader last year. She has been a DUP MLA since 2011. She has confirmed that she is leaving politics to look after her elderly mother.
In an interview with the BBC, she said: “My mum needs me more and I have decided to prioritise her over my political career. She sacrificed so much for me and I feel I need to be there for her.”
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