Maurice Devenney is new Foyle MLA

The local DUP politician has been selected by the party as Mr Hay’s replacement.

The party leader, Peter Robinson, tweeted this morning: “Delighted to welcome our new Foyle MLA Maurice Devenney to @niassembly. All signed in and ready to take his seat.”

His party colleague Gary Middleton said: “I would like to congratulate my colleague and good friend Maurice Devenney on his appointment as MLA for Foyle.

“I have known Maurice for many years and he was responsible for bringing me into politics back in 2010.

“We have worked together representing the rural area of the council and Maurice gets through an enormous amount of work representing his constituents.

“He had a tremendously successful year as Mayor of the city and I know that he is going to do equally well in this new role.”

Mr Devenney was elected to Derry City Council in 2005 and has held the position of Deputy Mayor twice in 2008 and 2009 and was selected to be Mayor of the city in 2011-2012.

More later.