Donaldson aims to take Lagan Valley MLA seat – where Givan and Poots both based

In the news today:
* DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said he intends to run as a candidate in Lagan Valley in next year’s Assembly elections, if a seat does not become available before then.
The decision could see Sir Jeffrey – the current Lagan Valley MP – running to become an MLA in the same constituency as as ex-party leader Edwin Poots, as well as the man he intends to replace as First Minister, Paul Givan.
* PSNI advertising for recruits through GAA literature ahead of the All-Ireland hurling final at the weekend has come in for criticism from loyalist commentator Jamie Bryson.
A similar full-page advertisement was placed in the match programme for the 2019 All-Ireland final.
* The PSNI will be represented at the first-ever Pride event in Omagh, following a recent decision by organisers to exclude the service which attracted controversy.
A spokesperson for Omagh Pride said: “A representative from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s LGBT+ network will address the crowd from a trailer stage in South West College car park.”
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* NI teacher registry boss says staff ‘working overtime’ to clear bureaucratic backlog before term starts.
The General Teaching Council For Northern Ireland (GTCNI) has apologised for the current delays in processing applications for teacher registration.

Michael Cousins

Acting Managing Editor