Russell Watton

Russell Watton
Leader of the Progressive Unionist Party
Incumbent
Assumed office
14 June 2023
Preceded byBilly Hutchinson
Deputy leader of the Progressive Unionist Party
In office
15 October 2022 – 14 June 2023
LeaderBilly Hutchinson
Preceded byJohn Kyle
Member of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
Incumbent
Assumed office
22 May 2014
Preceded byNew council
ConstituencyColeraine
Personal details
Born1954 (age 69–70) [1]
Coleraine, Northern Ireland
Political partyProgressive Unionist Party

Russell Watton (born 1954) is a Northern Irish Ulster loyalist, politician and community activist, serving as leader of the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) since 2023, and a Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Councillor for the Coleraine DEA since 2014. He was also PUP deputy leader between 2022 and 2023.[2]

Background

Ulster Volunteer Force

Watton joined the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) in the 1970s, and was believed to the commander of the UVF unit in Coleraine.[3] He was involved in the bombing of the Salmon Leap Restaurant, which caused the deaths of several of Watton's UVF comrades.[4]

He was sentenced in 1977, and was imprisoned for 13 years.[5]

Political career

At the 2005 and 2011 local elections, he stood as an independent in the Coleraine Central District, on Coleraine Borough Council.[6]

Watton joined the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP), ahead of the 2014 local elections. He was elected onto the successor Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, having topped the poll in the Coleraine District.[7]

He was the PUP candidate for East Londonderry at the 2016 and 2017 Northern Ireland Assembly elections, though was unsuccessful on both attempts.[8][9]

Watton was re-elected as a councillor in 2019, again being the first candidate returned in Coleraine.[10]

He stood again for East Londonderry at the 2022 Assembly election. [11]

Following his re-election in 2023, in which he was the only PUP candidate elected, Watton succeeded defeated Belfast City Councillor, Billy Hutchinson, as leader.[12]

References

  1. ^ "Coleraine Councillor Watson hits the big 70!". Causeway Chronicle. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  2. ^ "PUP on Protocol: If we knew in 1994 what we know today about the Good Friday Agreement we would never have had UVF ceasefire". Belfast Newsletter. 9 February 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  3. ^ "Telegraph revelation forced him to quit". Belfast Telegraph. 17 January 2006. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  4. ^ "Watton: no regrets over terror past". Coleraine Chronicle. 21 May 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  5. ^ "Violence against Northern Ireland protocol isn't 'off the table'". Politico. 19 May 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Coleraine Borough Council Elections 1993-2011". Ark Elections. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  7. ^ "Watton storms to stunning victory". Northern Ireland World. 27 May 2014. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  8. ^ "Northern Ireland Assembly Elections: The 17 candidates in East Londonderry". Who Can I Vote For?. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  9. ^ "East Londonderry - Northern Ireland Assembly constituency". BBC News. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  10. ^ "PUP's Russell Watton says 'no regrets' over UVF past". Irish News. 22 May 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  11. ^ "PUP election candidate Russell Watton blames 'known drug dealers' for sending him intimidating material". Belfast Newsletter. 4 May 2022. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  12. ^ "Coleraine councillor Russell Watton is new PUP leader". Belfast Live. 15 June 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2024.


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