Senior ministerial role for East Antrim MLA Gordon Lyons

East Antrim DUP MLA Gordon Lyons has been appointed Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.
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Mr Lyons replaces Edwin Poots, who has stepped down from the role to facilitate surgery and recuperation from cancer.

Foyle DUP MLA Gary Middleton has taken over from Mr Lyons as a Junior Minister in The Executive Office.

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DUP leader and First Minister Arlene Foster said: “We give Edwin our best wishes and assure him and his family of our prayers.

Gordon Lyons at Parliament Buildings, Stormont.

Photo by Kelvin Boyes  / Press Eye.Gordon Lyons at Parliament Buildings, Stormont.

Photo by Kelvin Boyes  / Press Eye.
Gordon Lyons at Parliament Buildings, Stormont. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

“This is a temporary change, and we look forward to having Edwin back at work having made a full recovery.”

On January 20 Mr Poots revealed in the News Letter that he had been diagnosed with a cancerous growth on his kidney. The tumour was discovered when he was in hospital for emergency surgery to remove his appendix in December.

Mr Poots said news that all urgent cancer surgery was cancelled due to coronavirus “came as an awful blow”.

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Click here to read: Best wishes extended to DUP MLA Edwin Poots across political spectrum

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