Trevor Clarke MLA (born 28 July 1967) is a Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) politician, serving as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for South Antrim since June 2017, having previously served from 2007 to March 2017. Clarke is the DUP's Spokesperson for Policing. [1]
Trevor Clarke | |
|---|---|
 Clarke in 2021 | |
| Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for South Antrim | |
| Assumed office 28 June 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Paul Girvan |
| In office 7 March 2007 – 2 March 2017 | |
| Preceded by | multiple members |
| Succeeded by | multiple members |
| Member of Antrim Borough Council | |
| In office 5 May 2005 – 22 May 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Wilson Clyde |
| Succeeded by | Council abolished |
| Constituency | Antrim North West |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 28 July 1967 Antrim, Northern Ireland |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Democratic Unionist Party |
Political career
editClarke was first elected in 2007 to the Northern Ireland Assembly as a Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) member for South Antrim. Clarke lost his seat at the 2017 Assembly election, but was later co-opted by the DUP after Paul Girvan was elected in the 2017 general election to represent South Antrim in the House of Commons.
Controversies
editSpeaking in the Assembly in November 2016, he confessed to not knowing that heterosexual individuals could contract HIV, which was criticised by Elton John.[2]
In 2020, Clarke apologised for liking a social media post suggesting that the COVID-19 pandemic was "God's punishment" for the legalization of same-sex marriage and abortion.[3]
In 2021, Clarke defended meeting with loyalist paramilitaries, stating that "examples like that" showed "leadership".[4]
Personal life
editClarke is active in the Orange Order.[3] His wife Linda is a DUP councillor.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Trevor Clarke MLA". DUP. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
- ^ "Sir Elton John criticises Trevor Clarke Aids comments". BBC News. 2 December 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
- ^ a b "Coronavirus: DUP man in apology after claiming pandemic God's wrath for abortion and same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland". belfasttelegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
- ^ "DUP MLA Trevor Clarke defiant over meeting with loyalist paramilitaries". belfasttelegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
- ^ Hughes, Brendan (19 November 2019). "DUP's Trevor Clarke in U-turn over unauthorised triple garage". The Irish News. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
Links
edit- Profile, dup.org.uk; accessed 15 May 2016.
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