Leading Northern Ireland politician David Ervine dies aged 53


dpa German Press Agency
Published: Monday January 8, 2007

Belfast- David Ervine, a former paramilitary fighter who became a key figure in the peace process in Northern Ireland, died Monday aged 53, a party spokesman in Belfast said. Ervine, leader of the protestant Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) died in Belfast' Victoria Hospital after suffering a heart attack, a stroke and brain haemorrhage, the hospital said.

He was a central figure in securing the 1994 loyalist paramilitary ceasefire, called in response to an initial move by the Catholic Irish Republican Army (IRA) to halt its campaign of violence.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair Monday praised Ervine's contribution to the peace process. "Brought up in sectarian politics, he ended up being a persistent and intelligent persuader for cross community partnership," said Blair in London.

Ervine played a leading role in negotiations that resulted in the 1998 Good Friday Agreement outlining a lasting peace settlement between Protestants and Catholics in the province.

Ken Wilkinson, one of his closest political associates, said: "I don't think Northern Ireland realizes the sacrifices this man made. It's a sad a loss to the people of Northern Ireland.

Ervine, a member of the Stormont Assembly (regional parliament) for East Belfast, led the PUP, which is aligned to the loyalist paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), since 2002.

He moved into politics after being imprisoned for paramilitary crimes in the notorious Maze Prison, which has now closed down.

Ervine was sentenced to six years in jail for possessing explosives after he was arrested in 1974 with a bomb in his car.

Ervine said he was sucked into paramilitarism after the IRA killed nine people on Bloody Friday at the start of the "troubles" in July 1972.

Having left school at 15, he used his time in prison to study for an Open University degree.

© 2006 dpa German Press Agency