Dawn Purvis

In November 2014, Bernadette Smyth, founder of the Precious Life organisation, was found guilty of the harassment of Purvis,[5] but the verdict was later quashed.

[8] Purvis stood in Belfast South in the 2001 UK general election, finishing in sixth place with a total of 1112 votes (2.9%).

Her appointment was later criticised by the Democratic Unionist Party, because of the PUP's links with the paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF).

She polled 3045 votes (10.3%)[11] In 2011 Dawn left politics and became the Northern Ireland Programme Director with Marie Stopes International (MSI).

[12] In June 2010, Purvis resigned as leader, and as a member, of the PUP because of its relationship with the UVF and the murder of Bobby Moffet which was attributed to that group by the Independent Monitoring Commission.

Dawn Purvis PUP office
Constituency office of Dawn Purvis as independent MLA, Holywood Road, Belfast , April 2011