[1] He was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2008 Birthday Honours "for services to Local Government and to the community in Northern Ireland.

He takes particular interest in housing matters, the elderly, health services and employment opportunities.

[6] In 2022, Newton was deselected as a DUP candidate and as a result did not contest the 2022 Assembly election.

[8] This reshuffle took place due to Robinson's plans to phase out "double jobbing" amongst elected representatives.

Newton was sworn in as junior minister by the speaker, William Hay, on 1 July 2009, and served until 16 May 2011.