Upper Bann DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley has been confirmed at the party’s Westminster election candidate for Lagan Valley.
He will be contesting the seat which had been held by Sir Jeffrey Donaldson for close to three decades.
The former DUP leader resigned earlier this year after it was confirmed that he had been arrested – and subsequently charged – for historic sexual offences.
Mr Buckley has been a rising star within the party.
He will be hoping to hold on to the seat for the party and has received the DUP nod to contest the seat. Both Education Minister Paul Givan and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly had also been in the mix to stand in Lagan Valley.
Other parties have already confirmed their candidates for the Lagan Valley race, including the Alliance’s Sorcha Eastwood and Ulster Unionist Robbie Butler.
The General Election will take place on July 4.
