Jimmy Spratt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jimmy Spratt
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| Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for Belfast South |
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| In office 7 March 2007 – 28 September 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Mark Robinson |
| Succeeded by | Emma Pengelly |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
James Andrew Spratt
19 August 1951 |
| Died | 4 March 2021 (aged 69) Saintfield, County Down, Northern Ireland |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Democratic Unionist Party |
| Spouse | Lynda |
| Children | 4 |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | Constable |
James Andrew Spratt (born August 19, 1951 – died March 4, 2021) was a politician and police officer from Northern Ireland. He was a member of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). Mr. Spratt served as a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for South Belfast from 2007 to 2015.
Early Life and Police Work
Jimmy Spratt joined the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) police force in 1972. He worked as a police officer for 30 years. During this time, he served in different areas like Derry and Belfast.
Mr. Spratt was part of a special team that protected important people. This included government officials and the head of the RUC. He was also very involved with the Police Federation for Northern Ireland. This group represents police officers. He even became its Chairman before he retired from the police.
He worked on government committees at both local and national levels. He represented the British Police Service. He also helped with important groups that looked after police health and safety. He worked on boards that decided pay and working conditions for police across the UK.
Political Career
Jimmy Spratt had an active career in politics. He was a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for South Belfast. He held this position from 2007 to 2015.
Before becoming an MLA, he was a Councillor on Castlereagh Borough Council. He served as a Councillor from 2005 to 2014. He was also the leader of the DUP group on the Council.
Here are some of the political roles he held:
- Councillor: 2005—2014
- MLA: 2007—2015
- Vice-Chairman of the Committee for Employment and Learning: 2007—2008
- Member of the Committee of the Office of First and Deputy First Minister: 2007—2015
- Chairman of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee: 2008—2015
- Member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board: 2008—2011
- Chairman of the Regional Development Committee: 2011—2015
Mr. Spratt also ran for a seat in the UK Parliament. He stood as a DUP candidate for the Belfast South area. This was in the 2005 general election. He lost to Alasdair McDonnell of the SDLP. He ran again in the 2010 general election but did not win.
Public Statements
Jimmy Spratt was known for speaking his mind. Once, the head of Translink, a transport company, did not attend a committee meeting. Mr. Spratt commented that it should not be difficult for someone earning a high salary to explain things to the committee. This showed his focus on accountability for public money.
Personal Life
Jimmy Spratt was married to Lynda for over 30 years. They had four sons together. He was also an active member of his local Presbyterian church. He passed away on March 4, 2021, at the age of 69.
