Middleton set to take over at Stormont

However, at the time of going to press, Mr Middleton stressed that, while he was in the running for the position, he did not know how many other nominees were also put forward to take over the MLA seat.

“All I can say for certain at the minute is that the decision as to who takes over at Stormont will be made later this week,” he said.

“I honestly don’t know if there are any other candidates being considered for the post.

“All I know is that my name is in the hat and if I am chosen to take over at Stormont then I want to assure the people of the north west and particularly the people of Londonderry that I will work tirelessly to make sure that their views and needs are heard at Stormont.

“Whoever gets the job I wish them well, but in the meantime, I will be continuing with my constituency work as a member of the new Londonderry and Strabane supercouncil. In the meantime it is business as usual for me.”

If Mr Middleton is the successful candidate it will be the second time in six months that a member of the DUP from Londonderry has been co-opted into the post since former speaker, William Hay, resigned his seat on health grounds.

Now a member of the House of Lords, Mr Hay was succeeded by Maurice Devenney, who was co-opted last October.