Colleagues have been paying tribute to an Ulster Unionist Assembly member, Mr Tom Benson, who died late on Christmas Eve. Mr Benson (71) fell ill last month after a stroke. He was a member for Strangford, Co Down, and served on both the education and environment committees at Stormont. He is survived by his wife, Anne, two daughters and a son. The Ulster Unionist deputy leader, Mr John Taylor, MP for Strangford, said it had been a privilege for him to count Mr Benson among his colleagues and friends.
The UUP chief whip, Mr Jim Wilson, described Mr Benson as a hard-working and valued member of the Assembly who would be sorely missed.
