Billy Leonard (born 13 January 1955) is an Irish republican retired politician who was a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for East Londonderry from 2010 to 2011.
Born in Lurgan to a Protestant family,[1] Leonard is a former member of both the Royal Ulster Constabulary reserve and the Orange Order.
[4] In November 2010 it was announced that Leonard would not contest the 2011 Assembly election, so that he could devote his time to writing a book, Towards a United Ireland – an uncompleted journey.
[5][6] Leonard stated that disagreements "over support arrangements for MLAs' wages and expenses" were the reason for his decision to leave Sinn Féin in 2011.
[7] A 2012 interview published in the Belfast Telegraph quoted Leonard as saying that the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) still have a big say in the running of Sinn Féin.