Speaker's Tribute to Principal Deputy Speaker Christopher Stalford MLA

The Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly has today paid tribute to Principal Deputy Speaker, Christopher Stalford MLA.

“There is no doubt today that the whole Assembly is in shock and sadness at the news of the death of Christopher Stalford MLA.

Christopher had been active politically since his youth and he and I first got to know each other as councillors for Laganbank on Belfast City Council. 

He was intelligent, articulate and witty and that came across in the regular meetings the Deputy Speakers and I had with him to prepare for the sittings of the Assembly every week. 

He was passionate about his constituency and the Assembly.  He undoubtedly had strong convictions and relished debating in the Assembly Chamber.  However, he was also meticulous about being fair to all sides when he was in the Speaker’s Chair and had good relationships across the Assembly.

I am most mindful today of the commitment he had to his family and my thoughts and sympathies are with his wife Laura and his four children.

I will be engaging with the party whips this afternoon to make arrangements for tributes to be paid at the Assembly tomorrow.”