David Cook (Northern Ireland politician)
David Sommerville Cook (born 1943/1944) is a former politician in Northern Ireland.
Cook works as a solicitor, eventually becoming a senior partner at Sheldon and Stewart Solicitors.[1]
In 1970, Cook was a founder member of the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland (APNI),[2] while he was elected to the party's Central Executive in 1971.[3]
He was elected to Belfast City Council in 1973,[4] a position he held until 1985.[5] In 1978, he became the first non-Unionist Lord Mayor of Belfast since William James Pirrie, a Home Rule Liberal, in 1896–1898.[6]
He stood for APNI in Belfast South in the February 1974 general election, taking just under 10% of the vote.[7] He was able to improve to 27% of the vote at the Belfast South by-election, 1982. Following this, he won a seat on the Northern Ireland Assembly representing Belfast South.[citation needed]
In the 1983 general election, 1986 by-election and 1987 general election, he consistently won over 20% of the votes cast in Belfast South. He also stood for Alliance in the 1984 European Parliament election, but took only 4% of the vote.[7] From 1980–84, Cook served as the Deputy Leader of APNI.[1]
In 1994, Cook became the Chairman of the Police Authority of Northern Ireland, but he was sacked from this role in 1996 after losing a vote of confidence.[8] After a critical account of his role appeared in 1998, he undertook a lengthy libel case,[clarification needed] ultimately settled out of court.[9] He subsequently sat on the Craigavon Health and Social Services Trust.[10]
References
- ^ a b "Policing in Northern Ireland". Meathpeacegroup.org. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
- ^ "Cook raps 'mean spirited unionism'". Belfasttelegraph.co.uk. 11 February 1997. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
- ^ Dr Martin Melaugh. "APNI – Alliance Annual Conference 1971". Cain.ulst.ac.uk. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
- ^ "The Local Government Elections 1973–1981: Belfast". Ark.ac.uk. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
- ^ "Local Government Elections 1985 – 1989: Belfast". Ark.ac.uk. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
- ^ "A Chronology of the Conflict-1978". Cain.ulst.ac.uk. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
- ^ a b "David Cook candidacies". Electionsireland.org. Retrieved 2010-11-28.
- ^ "Mayhew's dilemma in police watchdog crisis". Belfasttelegraph.co.uk. 23 February 1996. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
- ^ "Police Authority pair settle out of court". Belfasttelegraph.co.uk. 12 November 2001. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
- ^ "Why Alliance critics point accusing finger". Belfasttelegraph.co.uk. 12 December 1996. Retrieved 3 June 2016.