General Election: Tom Elliott named as a peer

Ulster Unionist MLA Tom Elliott has been named as a peer in the dissolution list.

Speaking at the Meadowbank Count Centre in Magherafelt, he said the news came as a "total shock".

Mr Elliott made the comments after he arrived at the Meadowbank Count centre in Magherafelt.

He held the Fermanagh South Tyrone Westminster seat for the UUP from 2015 until 2017 and now sits in Stormont.

"It's different. It's something I never expected. It was a total shock and surprise," he said.

"I look at it more as an award for the community as opposed to me. As far as I'm concerned I don't feel like changing. I'm still the same person. Hopefully that's the way it will be.

"It's a great honour and privilege to being a peer, but look just take it as it comes. To be fair I only heard officially this evening at 7.20pm, so haven't had much time to sink in.

"I had to tell the family then. so things move on quickly in life and that's just how it is. I hope in general things don't change dramatically for me."

Ulster Unionist Party Leader, Doug Beattie MC MLA, commented.

“The notification from number 10 Downing Street that Tom Elliott MLA has been nominated as a Life Peer in the Prime Minister’s Dissolution list is recognition of his decades of commitment to both the Ulster Unionist Party and the electorate of Fermanagh and South Tyrone.

“Tom will make an excellent addition to our Westminster team. He will join our current peers, Lord Empey and Baron Rogan, in representing the values of the Ulster Unionist Party in these very uncertain times."