Jonathan Bell (politician)
Jonathan Fergus Bell (born 5 March 1970) is a former Unionist politician from Northern Ireland representing the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).
Jonathan Bell | |
|---|---|
| Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment | |
| In office 11 May 2015 – 5 May 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Arlene Foster |
| Succeeded by | Simon Hamilton |
| Junior Minister at the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister | |
| In office 16 May 2011 – 11 May 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Robin Newton |
| Succeeded by | Michelle McIlveen |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly for Strangford | |
| In office 22 January 2010 – 26 January 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Iris Robinson |
| Succeeded by | Peter Weir |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jonathan Fergus Bell 5 March 1970 Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Independent DUP (suspended 2016) UUP (until 2000) |
| Spouse | Lisa Bell |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Conlig, County Down |
| Alma mater | Queen's University Belfast |
| Profession | Social worker |
He previously served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Strangford in the Northern Ireland Assembly, following the resignation of Iris Robinson, which he represented from 2010 to 2017.
He served as a Junior Minister in the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister from May 2011 until May 2015, before he served as Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment from May 2015 until May 2016.
In January 2017, Bell spoke publicly on the BBC Nolan Show, bringing to light the Renewable Heat Incentive scandal, which ultimately led to a Public Inquiry that same month. He was suspended from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). He sat as an Independent Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly until losing his seat in the 2017 Assembly Elections.