‘The reason I’m not justice minister is because I’m a unionist’: Claire Sugden speaks about serving as Stormont’s sole independent MLA
Claire Sugden speaks to Allison Morris about serving as Stormont’s sole independent MLA, her frustration with local politics, and a possible Westminster bid
Claire Sugden at Parliament buildings in Belfast on April 3rd 2025 (Photo by Kevin Scott)
As Northern Ireland’s only independent Assembly member, Claire Sugden has none of the support awarded to the larger parties, but she does have one of the best offices in Stormont.
With a window directly overlooking Prince of Wales Avenue, she inherited it from her friend and mentor David McClarty, the former UUP MLA turned independent who died in 2014. He had already chosen the young politician to take his East Londonderry seat.
