Emma Little-Pengelly facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Emma Little-Pengelly
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Little-Pengelly in 2024
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| Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland | |
| Assumed office 3 February 2024 Serving with Michelle O'Neill
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| Monarch | Charles III |
| Preceded by | Michelle O'Neill |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly for Lagan Valley |
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| Assumed office 12 May 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Paul Rankin |
| Member of Parliament for Belfast South |
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| In office 8 June 2017 – 6 November 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Alasdair McDonnell |
| Succeeded by | Claire Hanna |
| Junior Minister Assisting the First Minister | |
| In office 28 October 2015 – 25 May 2016 Serving with Jennifer McCann
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| First Minister | Peter Robinson |
| Preceded by | Michelle McIlveen |
| Succeeded by | Alastair Ross |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly for Belfast South |
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| In office 28 September 2015 – 25 January 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Jimmy Spratt |
| Succeeded by | Seat abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Mary Emma Little
31 December 1979 Markethill, County Armagh, Northern Ireland |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Democratic Unionist |
| Spouse |
Richard Pengelly
(m. 2014) |
| Children | 3 stepchildren |
| Residences | Belfast, County Antrim |
| Alma mater | Queen's University Belfast |
| Profession | Barrister |
Emma Little-Pengelly (born December 31, 1979) is a politician from Northern Ireland. She is also a lawyer. Since February 2024, she has been the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland. She is a member of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).
She has been a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Lagan Valley since May 2022. Before this, she was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Belfast South from 2017 to 2019. She also served as an MLA for Belfast South.
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Early Life and Education
Emma Little-Pengelly was born in Markethill, County Armagh, Northern Ireland. She went to Markethill High School and Portadown College. Later, she studied at Queen's University Belfast. In 2003, she became a qualified barrister, which is a type of lawyer.
Political Journey
Emma Little-Pengelly started her political career in 2007. She worked as a Special Advisor for the First Minister, Ian Paisley. A Special Advisor helps a minister with their work and gives advice. She continued in this role when Peter Robinson became First Minister in 2008. She worked as an advisor for over eight years.
In 2015, the DUP chose her to become an MLA for Belfast South. This happened after the previous MLA, Jimmy Spratt, retired. On October 28, 2015, she became a junior minister in the Northern Ireland government. Junior ministers help senior ministers with their duties.
She was re-elected as an MLA for South Belfast in 2016. However, she lost her seat in the 2017 Assembly election. This was because the number of seats in Belfast South was reduced.
Serving as an MP
In the 2017 UK general election, Emma Little-Pengelly was elected as an MP for Belfast South. She won the seat from Alasdair McDonnell. An MP represents their area in the UK Parliament in London. She lost this seat in the 2019 general election to Claire Hanna.
On May 12, 2022, she was appointed as an MLA for Lagan Valley. This happened after the DUP leader, Jeffrey Donaldson, decided not to take his seat in the Assembly. Emma Little-Pengelly stepped in to fill his place. She said she was happy to serve the people of Lagan Valley.
Becoming Deputy First Minister
On February 3, 2024, Emma Little-Pengelly became the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland. This happened when the Northern Ireland government was set up again. This was a big moment because it was the first time a unionist politician held the office of Deputy First Minister.
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Personal Life
Emma Little-Pengelly is married to Richard Pengelly. He works as a senior official in the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland. She also has three stepchildren.
