Claire Sugden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Claire Sugden
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| Minister of Justice | |
| In office 25 May 2016 – 2 March 2017 |
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| First Minister | Arlene Foster |
| Preceded by | David Ford |
| Succeeded by | Naomi Long |
| Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for East Londonderry |
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| Assumed office 6 May 2014 |
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| Preceded by | David McClarty |
| Member of Coleraine Borough Council | |
| In office 2013–2014 |
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| Preceded by | David McClarty |
| Succeeded by | Council abolished |
| Constituency | Coleraine Town |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 7 August 1986 Castlerock, Northern Ireland |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Independent Unionist |
| Spouse | Andy Anderson (m. 2019) |
| Alma mater | Queen's University Belfast |
Claire Sugden (born 7 August 1986) is a politician from Northern Ireland. She was the Minister of Justice for Northern Ireland from May 2016 to March 2017. She is a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for East Londonderry. This means she represents that area in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Claire first became an MLA in 2014. She was chosen to fill the seat after the previous MLA, David McClarty, passed away. She has since been elected to the seat in 2016, 2017, and 2022. She is an Independent Unionist. This means she supports Northern Ireland remaining part of the United Kingdom, but she does not belong to a specific political party. She is known for having more open-minded views on social issues compared to some other unionist politicians.
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Early Life and Education
Claire Sugden was born on 7 August 1986. She grew up in Coleraine, Northern Ireland, as the youngest of five children. Her father, Arthur, was a prison officer.
She went to Killowen primary school and Coleraine High School. After that, she studied politics at Queen's University Belfast and graduated in 2008. She also earned a master's degree in Irish politics from the same university. Later, she began studying for another master's degree in political lobbying at Ulster University.
Political Journey
Starting in Politics
After finishing her first degree in 2008, Claire worked as an intern. She helped out at the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. She also interned in the United States as part of a special program.
In 2008, she started working for David McClarty. He was an MLA for East Londonderry at the time. Claire helped him with his work in the Assembly until she became an MLA herself in 2014. In 2011, she helped manage his election campaign when he ran as an independent politician.
In 2013, Claire was chosen to join Coleraine Borough Council. This was a local council, and she took over David McClarty's seat when he resigned. In February 2014, she was nominated to take his seat in the Assembly after he became ill.
Becoming an MLA
After David McClarty passed away in April 2014, Claire Sugden was chosen to become the MLA for East Londonderry. This made her one of the youngest MLAs in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
In her first speech in the Assembly, on 16 October 2014, she encouraged other MLAs to remember how far they had come. She also asked them to take responsibility for the power they held.
During her first two years as an MLA, she was known for being a strong voice. She was not afraid to challenge the bigger political parties. She often spoke up about important issues. For example, in September 2015, she talked about the future of Northern Ireland's political system. She also spoke about the November 2015 Paris attacks, showing her strong feelings about the events.
In the 2016 election, Claire was successfully elected as the MLA for East Londonderry. She thanked the people who voted for her and remembered David McClarty, saying he had trusted her with his seat.
Serving as Minister of Justice
After the 2016 election, some political parties decided not to join the government. This meant that only two main parties, Sinn Féin and the DUP, were left to form the government. They found it hard to agree on who should be the Minister of Justice. This role is very important and sensitive.
In May 2016, the leaders of the DUP and Sinn Féin talked with Claire Sugden. They discussed if she would be willing to take on the role of Minister of Justice. On 25 May 2016, it was announced that Claire would become the new Minister of Justice. She said it was a "huge challenge" but that she was "up for it." The leaders praised her as being "impressive and progressive."
Legal groups in Northern Ireland welcomed her appointment. In December 2016, during a political issue known as the Renewable Heat Incentive scandal, Claire voted against a motion that showed a lack of confidence in the First Minister. Claire said she wanted to see clear information, not just rumors, before making a decision. She also supported an independent investigation into the issue.
In January 2017, she continued to support an independent investigation. She believed the First Minister should stay in office during any investigation. She also said that the political situation had made it difficult for her to do her job. Soon after, the Deputy First Minister resigned, which led to new elections being called for March 2017.
Claire decided to run for re-election in January 2017. She said she wanted to "finish the job I started" as justice minister. She remained Minister of Justice until the election day. In the 2017 election, Claire Sugden was the first MLA to be declared elected for East Londonderry.
In May 2021, Claire chose to remain an independent politician. She was re-elected to the Assembly in the 2022 election.
Personal Life
Claire Sugden married Andy Anderson in June 2019.
