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Former minister dies on holiday Former minister dies on holiday
(about 1 hour later)
A former Stormont junior minister has died on holiday abroad.A former Stormont junior minister has died on holiday abroad.
James Leslie, 50, was an Ulster Unionist assembly member for North Antrim.James Leslie, 50, was an Ulster Unionist assembly member for North Antrim.
Mr Leslie first won his assembly seat in 1998, briefly becoming a junior minister in the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister in 2002.Mr Leslie first won his assembly seat in 1998, briefly becoming a junior minister in the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister in 2002.
He did not contest the 2003 assembly election, and three years later, he left the Ulster Unionist Party to join the Conservatives.He did not contest the 2003 assembly election, and three years later, he left the Ulster Unionist Party to join the Conservatives.
Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg said Mr Leslie's death had come as a profound shock to all involved in politics in Northern Ireland.
"As a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly and then as a junior minister in the executive, James made a significant contribution to politics at a time of great challenge in Northern Ireland as our society emerged from the pain of the Troubles," he said.
"For James' life to end at a time when he still had much to offer our society is a matter of profound regret. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family in their grief".
'Integrity'
Alliance leader David Ford said he was shocked by the news.Alliance leader David Ford said he was shocked by the news.
"James was a very competent parliamentarian and a man of real integrity," he said."James was a very competent parliamentarian and a man of real integrity," he said.
"He will be very sorely missed by many across Northern Ireland and he made a genuinely positive contribution to politics here.""He will be very sorely missed by many across Northern Ireland and he made a genuinely positive contribution to politics here."
The DUP's Ian Paisley Jnr said: "I was very shocked and saddened to hear of the death of James Leslie whilst on holiday.The DUP's Ian Paisley Jnr said: "I was very shocked and saddened to hear of the death of James Leslie whilst on holiday.
"What is all the more shocking about his sudden passing is the fact that he was such a young man at 50 years of age.""What is all the more shocking about his sudden passing is the fact that he was such a young man at 50 years of age."
SDLP leader Mark Durkan said he had worked with Mr Leslie in the assembly.SDLP leader Mark Durkan said he had worked with Mr Leslie in the assembly.
"James impressed as a good legislator with a good eye for relevant detail and a concern to be clear about implications and consequences, financial or otherwise," he said."James impressed as a good legislator with a good eye for relevant detail and a concern to be clear about implications and consequences, financial or otherwise," he said.