This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6239263.stm
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| PUP leader 'critical' in hospital | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Progressive Unionist Party leader David Ervine remains in a critical condition in hospital. | |
| Mr Ervine, 53, became ill at his home on Sunday and was initially taken to the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald. | |
| He was then transferred to the intensive care unit at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. | |
| 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." | 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 Mr Ervine's family at such a difficult time. | Former Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid - the current home secretary - said his thoughts and prayers were with Mr Ervine's family at such a 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. |