Russell Watton

Northern Irish Ulster loyalist politician From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Russell Watton (born 1954) is a Northern Irish Ulster loyalist, politician and community activist, serving as leader of the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) since 2023, and a Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Councillor for the Coleraine DEA since 2014. He was also PUP deputy leader between 2022 and 2023.[2]

Quick Facts Leader of the Progressive Unionist Party, Preceded by ...
Russell Watton
Leader of the Progressive Unionist Party
Assumed office
14 June 2023
Preceded byBilly Hutchinson
Deputy leader of the Progressive Unionist Party
In office
15 October 2022 ā€“ 14 June 2023
LeaderBilly Hutchinson
Preceded byJohn Kyle
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Councillor
Assumed office
22 May 2014
Preceded byNew council
ConstituencyColeraine
Personal details
Born1954 (age 70ā€“71) [1]
Coleraine, Northern Ireland
Political partyProgressive Unionist Party (since 2014)
Other political
affiliations
Independent (2005-2014)
Military service
ParamilitaryUlster Volunteer Force
RankOfficer Commanding
ConflictThe Troubles
Close

Background

Ulster Volunteer Force

Watton joined the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) in the 1970s, and was believed to the commander of the UVF unit in Coleraine.[3] He was involved in the bombing of the Salmon Leap Restaurant, which caused the deaths of several of Watton's UVF comrades.[4]

He received three life sentences in 1977, and was imprisoned for 13 years until his release in 1989.[5][6]

Political career

At the 2005 and 2011 local elections, he stood as an independent in the Coleraine Central District, on Coleraine Borough Council.[7]

Causeway Coast and Glens Councillor

Watton joined the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP), ahead of the 2014 local elections. He was elected onto the successor Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, having topped the poll in the Coleraine District.[8]

He was the PUP candidate for East Londonderry at the 2016 and 2017 Northern Ireland Assembly elections, though was unsuccessful on both attempts.[9][10]

Watton was re-elected as a councillor in 2019, again being the first candidate returned in Coleraine.[6]

He stood again for East Londonderry at the 2022 Assembly election.[11]

Following his re-election in 2023, in which he was the only PUP candidate elected, Watton succeeded defeated Belfast City Councillor, Billy Hutchinson, as leader.[12]

References

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