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Background Notes

Born on a farm in County Tyrone.

Educated at Dungannon High School for Girls 1967-1974 Grade "A" at A'level in German, French, and Social and Economic History.

Aberystwyth University 1974-1978. Top prize-winner in each year, and graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Law.

Law Lecturer at Queen's University Belfast 1978-1988, specialising in European Community Law, Constitutional Law and International Law.

Member of Parliament for North Down; the first woman to be returned to Westminster from Northern Ireland in almost 30 years.

UUP's Westminster Spokesman on Home Affairs, including Policing and Human Rights, Youth and Women's Issues, Culture, Media and Sport



Author of various publications, including-

"A Guide to European Community Law in Northern Ireland", which was the leading text book on this subject.

"The response to the Patten Report", the Ulster Unionist Party's policy on reform of the RUC.

Other Commitments

Chairman of the North Down Ulster Unionist Association.

Chairman of the North Down Support Group for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Chairman of the Chinese Welfare Association's Fundraising Committee.

Member of "Friends" of Bangor Community Hospital.

Hobbies

Ornithology, swimming and fitness training, proof-reading and letter writing.