IT HAPPENED TODAY
AEvan was diagnosed at the prenatal 20-week scan; we found out there was a problem with the heart, his bowel and he had only one kidney. He was born on February 8 — three days early — and immediately taken away for scans. They were looking for a number of conditions — Down’s and Edwards syndrome, which is actually listed as a fatal foetal abnormality — but he was born with neither. We’d been told beforehand that if he’d been born with Edwards it was a life expectancy of two to three days. In the end, we had different problems to deal with.
Q AWhat has been your greatest achievement?
As the Ulster Unionist candidate in the last election (March 2017), and with North Antrim moving from six seats to five, I was widely tipped as not coming back. But I was the only unionist to reach quota and the first unionist elected.
If there was one thing you could change about yourself, what would it be?
Q AThe white hairs that have started to appear.
Tell us something that readers might be surprised to learn about you?
In 2004, I was part of a group from Fields of Life who went to Uganda to support agricultural journalist Ian HarveywhenherodeacrossLakeVictoria to raise money for a hospital out there. We were in a back up boat as he went from island to island. We spent a week without radio/mobile phone signal. The BBC did a documentary about it.
Q AAt home in Kells. To be able to come in, close the door, be with the family and switch off.
QYou joined the YFC aged 12 and stayed there until you were 35. In the past you’ve been president and Co Antrim chairman of the Young Farmers’ Club of Ulster. How does that link to politics? When I was in Young Farmers I wasn’t directly involved in politics, yet it was them who led me into it. I was president when we moved from devolution back into direct rule. I saw then the change straight away in agriculture and youth politics in Northern Ireland. We’d Brid Rodgers dealing with foot and mouth and then it moved to a direct rule minister going on the advice of civil servants.
AWhat’s your favourite place in the whole world?
I saw a big difference personally and realised we need NI ministers to solve NI problems.
QYou went to Kells and Connor Primary, then Ballymena Academy, after which you got a job at McQuillan Meats. Why didn’t you fancy university initially (although you later did an Open University science degree)?
I was actually accepted by Queen’s to study Agricultural Chemistry but after my A-levels I started to apply for jobs... there was one going in a lab at McQuillan so I took the opportunity of a full-time job. I don’t regret it; it was money, a car and freedom.
QAYou wanted to be a joiner but your dad wouldn’t let you. Tell us about your career to date.
I stayed at McQuillan Meats for four years (1989-93), finishing off as production manager. Then I went to SGS — a multinational inspection and testing company based in Switzerland. I started off as a plant operator and finished up as the Northern Ireland branch manager just before I became an elected politician. When I was promoted to manager I was supposed to have a degree — hence the Open University.
QYou became an MLA in 2011. From April 2012 until April 2017 you were UUP chief whip, becoming leader after Mike Nesbitt’s shock resignation. Were you glad to see him go and did you see this as your opportunity to lead?
I never thought I’d be leader, but when the vacancy arose I was approached by a number of party figures to put my name in the hat. The night of Mike’s resignation Doug Beattie was asked on TV about who he thought should be Mike’s successor and named me. It came as a shock but I was flattered. It was something I hadn’t thought of.
AHave you been trolled on social media?
When I was first elected I was called a political pygmy.
1559:
Queen Elizabeth I was crowned.
Fletcher Christian and eight fellow mutineers from the Bounty landed on the remote Pitcairn Island in the Pacific.
Forty skaters died when the frozen lake in London’s Regent’s Park gave way.
The first telephone directory was published by the London Telephone Company.
Ivor Novello (David Ivor Davies,
composer, actor, director and playwright, was born in Cardiff.
The first sickness benefit (10 shillings per week), unemployment benefit (seven shillings) and maternity benefit (30 shillings) were introduced in Britain.
1963:
The BBC ended its ban on mentioning politics, royalty, religion and sex in comedy shows.
The European Commission recognised the independence of Croatia and Slovenia, signalling the end of Yugoslavia as one nation.
Dozens of passengers had a ‘miraculous’ escape as a US airliner plunged into the Hudson River in New York.
Actor Roger Lloyd-Pack
forever known to millions for his role as amiable dimwit Trigger in Only Fools And Horses, died at the age of 69.
ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR:
Take That’s Howard Donald revealed that he’d named his new son Bowie, in an apparent tribute to the late singer David Bowie.
BIRTHDAYS:
Frank Bough, broadcaster, 85; Margaret Beckett, politician, 75; Princess Michael of Kent, 73; Gareth Hale, comedian, 65; Mario Van Peebles, actor, 61; James Nesbitt actor, 53; Mary Pierce, tennis player, 43; Scott Murray, rugby union player, 42; Jermaine Pennant, footballer, 35.