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Arlene Foster: Rapid rise for DUP's first woman leader | Arlene Foster: Rapid rise for DUP's first woman leader |
(25 days later) | |
Arlene Foster has had experience of some of the most high-profile posts in Northern Ireland politics and has long been tipped for Stormont's top job. | Arlene Foster has had experience of some of the most high-profile posts in Northern Ireland politics and has long been tipped for Stormont's top job. |
The MLA from Fermanagh has had a rapid rise through the DUP ranks since joining the party from the Ulster Unionists in 2004. | The MLA from Fermanagh has had a rapid rise through the DUP ranks since joining the party from the Ulster Unionists in 2004. |
She was born Arlene Kelly in Roslea in 1970. | She was born Arlene Kelly in Roslea in 1970. |
Her first experience of Troubles violence came when she was just eight years old. | Her first experience of Troubles violence came when she was just eight years old. |
Her father was a part-time policeman and was targeted by the IRA at the family farm. | Her father was a part-time policeman and was targeted by the IRA at the family farm. |
In 2005, she recounted the incident to the Sunday Tribune newspaper: "They shot him in the head as he was closing in the cattle. | In 2005, she recounted the incident to the Sunday Tribune newspaper: "They shot him in the head as he was closing in the cattle. |
"He came crawling into the house, blood streaming down his face." | "He came crawling into the house, blood streaming down his face." |
The family had to move house and she had to join a new school. | The family had to move house and she had to join a new school. |
When she was a teenager in 1988, a bomb exploded under her school bus. | When she was a teenager in 1988, a bomb exploded under her school bus. |
It was being driven by a part-time UDR soldier. | It was being driven by a part-time UDR soldier. |
A girl sitting near her was seriously injured. | A girl sitting near her was seriously injured. |
After leaving Enniskillen Collegiate, the future politician went to Queen's University Belfast to study law. | After leaving Enniskillen Collegiate, the future politician went to Queen's University Belfast to study law. |
She chaired the Ulster Unionist Association at the university. | She chaired the Ulster Unionist Association at the university. |
She began work as a solicitor, but continued her political activity. | She began work as a solicitor, but continued her political activity. |
Mrs Foster was elected MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone for the UUP in November 2003. | Mrs Foster was elected MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone for the UUP in November 2003. |
Weeks later, she joined the Democratic Unionists, along with Jeffrey Donaldson - another defector from the UUP. | Weeks later, she joined the Democratic Unionists, along with Jeffrey Donaldson - another defector from the UUP. |
She had criticised the direction the Ulster Unionists had been taking under David Trimble's leadership. | She had criticised the direction the Ulster Unionists had been taking under David Trimble's leadership. |
The DUP recognised her as an asset and Mrs Foster was appointed environment minister when devolution was restored in 2007. | The DUP recognised her as an asset and Mrs Foster was appointed environment minister when devolution was restored in 2007. |
The following year, she took over as minister for enterprise, trade and investment - a job in which she had to deal with the impact of the global financial crisis on Northern Ireland. | The following year, she took over as minister for enterprise, trade and investment - a job in which she had to deal with the impact of the global financial crisis on Northern Ireland. |
As part of her tourism strategy, Mrs Foster was keen to attract big events to Northern Ireland. | As part of her tourism strategy, Mrs Foster was keen to attract big events to Northern Ireland. |
She had a role in bringing the Giro d'Italia, the Irish Open golf tournament and the G8 summit to Northern Ireland. | She had a role in bringing the Giro d'Italia, the Irish Open golf tournament and the G8 summit to Northern Ireland. |
As her ministerial career advanced, so did her public profile. | As her ministerial career advanced, so did her public profile. |
She spoke about the importance of balancing her work and family life - Mrs Foster is married with three children. | She spoke about the importance of balancing her work and family life - Mrs Foster is married with three children. |
An indication of just how highly she was regarded by her party leader came in early 2010. | An indication of just how highly she was regarded by her party leader came in early 2010. |
Peter Robinson stood aside as first minister for a few weeks in the aftermath of the controversy about his wife Iris's affair with a teenager. | Peter Robinson stood aside as first minister for a few weeks in the aftermath of the controversy about his wife Iris's affair with a teenager. |
He appointed Mrs Foster to replace him on a temporary basis. | He appointed Mrs Foster to replace him on a temporary basis. |
After Mr Robinson returned to the role, Mrs Foster enhanced her reputation as a key ally to the first minister. | After Mr Robinson returned to the role, Mrs Foster enhanced her reputation as a key ally to the first minister. |
She often accompanied him to significant meetings and news conferences. | She often accompanied him to significant meetings and news conferences. |
And during rocky times, she was frequently the party's first choice to go on the airwaves. | And during rocky times, she was frequently the party's first choice to go on the airwaves. |
She was given control of Stormont's purse strings when she took over the finance ministry in May 2015. | |
When most DUP ministers resigned amidst a fresh crisis in September, Mrs Foster was the only minister who remained in the executive. | When most DUP ministers resigned amidst a fresh crisis in September, Mrs Foster was the only minister who remained in the executive. |
She was also, once again, installed in the first minister's office for a few weeks. | She was also, once again, installed in the first minister's office for a few weeks. |
The party said she was acting as a "gatekeeper". | The party said she was acting as a "gatekeeper". |
Mrs Foster was criticised by nationalists when she explained that role. | Mrs Foster was criticised by nationalists when she explained that role. |
She spoke of "the possibility that rogue Sinn Féin or renegade SDLP ministers are going to take decisions that will harm the community in Northern Ireland". | She spoke of "the possibility that rogue Sinn Féin or renegade SDLP ministers are going to take decisions that will harm the community in Northern Ireland". |
But even some of her critics would privately acknowledge that she has handled ministerial roles with confidence, and demonstrated political and administrative ability. | But even some of her critics would privately acknowledge that she has handled ministerial roles with confidence, and demonstrated political and administrative ability. |
She had a key role in the negotiations which aimed to resolve the long-running political difficulties, and put Stormont's finances on a sustainable footing. | She had a key role in the negotiations which aimed to resolve the long-running political difficulties, and put Stormont's finances on a sustainable footing. |
Now Mrs Foster will lead the biggest party in the assembly she helped to save. | Now Mrs Foster will lead the biggest party in the assembly she helped to save. |