Robinson congratulations for Willie Hay

Mr Robinson said Mr Hay would ensure that the “unionist voice of the city of Londonderry would be amplified within the Houses of Parliament”.

“I am delighted for William and congratulate him on this elevation to the House of Lords,” he said.

“I have known the Hay family since the formation of the DUP and William has been an excellent public representative for the people of Londonderry for over 30 years.

“William was the first ever DUP councillor to serve as the mayor of Londonderry.

“His leadership in the city is recognised right across the community.”

He added that with Mr Hay’s commitment to public service and experience in public life, he would be a tremendous asset as a DUP peer.

Mr Hay, who is 64, was elected Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly in May 2007 following the restoration of devolution to Northern Ireland.

He was born in 1950 in County Donegal and attended Faughan Valley High School in Drumahoe. He was elected to Londonderry City Council in Northern Ireland in 1981 for the Democratic Unionist Party. He served as Mayor in 1993 and Deputy Mayor in 1992, and was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 1998.