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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| PUP leader 'critical' in hospital | PUP leader 'critical' in hospital |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Progressive Unionist Party leader David Ervine is in a critical condition after falling ill suddenly at his home. | Progressive Unionist Party leader David Ervine is in a critical condition after falling ill suddenly at his home. |
| Mr Ervine, 53, is being treated in the intensive care unit at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. | Mr Ervine, 53, is being treated in the intensive care unit at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. |
| He was initially taken to the Ulster Hospital at Dundonald in east Belfast but was later moved to the RVH. | He was initially taken to the Ulster Hospital at Dundonald in east Belfast but was later moved to the RVH. |
| Mr Ervine has been an assembly member for East Belfast since 1998 and was one of the key figures in the brokering of the loyalist ceasefire of 1994. | Mr Ervine has been an assembly member for East Belfast since 1998 and was one of the key figures in the brokering of the loyalist ceasefire of 1994. |
| A spokesman for the hospital treating him said: "He is currently in the intensive care unit of the Royal Victoria Hospital and remains critically ill." | |
| Thoughts and prayers | Thoughts and prayers |
| Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain told the BBC he had "a high regard for him". | Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain told the BBC he had "a high regard for him". |
| "He's brought loyalist politics a considerable distance, he's a very progressive unionist, wants to see power-sharing work and I hope he's going to be part of that." | "He's brought loyalist politics a considerable distance, he's a very progressive unionist, wants to see power-sharing work and I hope he's going to be part of that." |
| Former Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid - the current home secretary - said his thoughts and prayers were with David Ervine's family at this difficult time. | Former Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid - the current home secretary - said his thoughts and prayers were with David Ervine's family at this difficult time. |
| The PUP's Northern Ireland Policing Board member Dawn Purvis said: "David took ill this morning and is being cared for in hospital. His family are with him." | The PUP's Northern Ireland Policing Board member Dawn Purvis said: "David took ill this morning and is being cared for in hospital. His family are with him." |
| Mr Ervine, who is married with two sons, became the leader of the PUP in 2002 after replacing Belfast councillor Hugh Smyth. | Mr Ervine, who is married with two sons, became the leader of the PUP in 2002 after replacing Belfast councillor Hugh Smyth. |