A former police officer and Orange Order member who has become Sinn Fein’s newest Assembly member today told of his transition from Protestant to nationalist to republican.

Coleraine councillor Billy Leonard, who left the SDLP to join Sinn Fein five years ago, has been selected to replace Francie Brolly - who is retiring - said the change was the result of challenging the ‘British/ unionist’ identity.

And the 54-year old ex-part time Royal Ulster Constabulary reservist said: “I look on it very much as a challenge, but I am relishing that challenge.”

Describing his personal journey from a Protestant church-goer to becoming a republican, Mr Leonard said the biggest issue he had faced was challenging the British/unionist identity and adopting his ‘Irish-ness’.

“I have a great love of history and politics but the biggest transition and challenge for me was the Irish identity. I had already left the Orange Order long before my transition,” he said.

Mr Leonard admitted some unionists would find his political career hard to believe and understand.

The newest Sinn Fein MLA, chosen at a selection convention in County Derry last night, also spelt out his immediate priorities he hopes to bring to the floor of the Assembly - jobs, education, infrastructure issues and tourism.

“I think we need to be more imaginative about the types of jobs we can hope to attract. I think we need to make sure education systems are delivering; on infrastructure we need to look at road and rail links and the Foyle Ferry and I think we should have a more comprehensive tourism package in the north-west,” he said.

“The North West region is one of the most deprived areas on this island and it is important that we have strong leadership to ensure East Derry is given its fair share.”