Jon Burrows
Jon Burrows | |
|---|---|
Burrows in 2025 | |
| Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party | |
| Assumed office 31 January 2026 | |
| Deputy | Diana Armstrong |
| Preceded by | Mike Nesbitt |
| Ulster Unionist Party spokesperson for Education | |
| Assumed office 4 August 2025 | |
| Leader | Mike Nesbitt Himself |
| Preceded by | Colin Crawford |
| Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for North Antrim | |
| Assumed office 4 August 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Colin Crawford |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Bangor, Northern Ireland |
| Party | Ulster Unionist Party |
Jon Burrows MLA is a Northern Irish politician who has served as Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) since 31 January 2026.[1] He has been a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for North Antrim since August 2025.[2]
Burrows began his policing career in 1995 after initially applying to the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), the predecessor to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). He served as a senior police officer in the Police Service of Northern Ireland until his retirement in 2021.[3]
Early life and education
Originally from Bangor, County Down, Burrows was educated at Bangor Grammar School before graduating from Ulster University with a BA (Hons) in Law and Government; and he also has a Master's in Criminal Justice (MSc) and a Master's in Law (LLM).[4]
Police career
Burrows followed his father, Colin, into a policing career. Colin Burrows retired from the PSNI in 2002 after 31 years of police service. He was awarded the Queens Police Medal in 1991.[5]
Jon Burrows applied to the Royal Ulster Constabulary in 1995, but in his own words “flunked” the exam. Burrows later started his police career after completing his first degree and policed nationally as well as for the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and served in a number of roles, including as Area Commander for Foyle[6] and head of the internal discipline branch,[7] until he retired on health grounds in 2021.
As part of his police career, Burrows headed up the team that delivered the policing around the Fleadh Cheoil in Derry in 2013. That event saw an Irish-speaking officer on duty at a mobile police station in Derry city centre along with other officers fluent in French and Spanish.[8] Burrows said at the time that "this demonstrates how diverse and reflective the police service is of the community we serve." Burrows also led a crackdown on illegal republican parades - and in 2018 led an operation that arrested a masked colour party in Lurgan - the first operation of its kind.[9]
Political career
Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (2025–present)
In July 2025, the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) announced that Burrows had been selected to replace Colin Crawford as MLA for North Antrim.[10][11] He is the party's Education Spokesperson.[12]
Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (2026–present)
On 8 January 2026, Burrows announced his candidacy for the leadership of the UUP in the 2026 leadership election.[13] At the close of nominations on 15 January, Burrows was the only candidate nominated and was thus ratified as the party's next leader.[14]
Controversies
Sex discrimination tribunal
Jon Burrows was mentioned multiple times in an industrial tribunal brought by former Chief Superintendent Emma Bond, who alleged sex discrimination within the PSNI. Bond claimed that Burrows exhibited bias against her during internal investigations. Burrows expressed being "shocked" by these allegations, emphasizing his commitment to professionalism and fairness in his role.[15]
Ormeau Road incident
Burrows was a vocal critic of the ombudsman's handling of the 2021 Ormeau Road incident, in which a PSNI officer was unlawfully suspended. He argued that the ombudsman failed to investigate the actions of senior officers involved, and instead pursued disciplinary charges against the suspended officer. Burrows contended that the suspension was politically motivated and not based on misconduct.[16]
References
- ^ Gordon, Gareth (31 January 2026). "UUP: New leader John Burrows sets of aim of becoming largest unionist party". BBC News. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
- ^ "Former senior PSNI officer selected to be new Ulster Unionist MLA". 29 July 2025. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
- ^ McCarthy, James Martin (29 July 2025). "Former senior PSNI officer Jon Borrows selected as new UUP North Antrim MLA". Belfast Live. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
- ^ "Education Spokesperson". UUP Live. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
- ^ https://academic.oup.com/policing/article-abstract/1/3/273/1544689
- ^ John (18 March 2015). "Derry Police Chief Moved: Says Fleadh Was Highlight Of Time In City". Derry Daily. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
- ^ "Boost for Ulster Unionist Party as former senior police officer Jon Burrows selected as MLA for North Antrim". NorthernIrelandWorld. 29 July 2025. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
- ^ "Irish-speaking police officers drafted in for fleadh in Derry". BBC News. 7 August 2013.
- ^ "Seven charged following republican parade in Lurgan". 1 April 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Former senior PSNI officer Jon Burrows to become UUP MLA". BBC News. 29 July 2025. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
- ^ "UUP: Jon Burrows replaces Colin Crawford as North Antrim MLA - Northern Ireland Elects". nielects.com. 29 July 2025. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
- ^ "Education Spokesperson". UUP Live. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
- ^ "Jon Burrows joins race for UUP leadership". BBC News. 8 January 2026. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
- ^ "UUP: Jon Burrows looks set to become next leader". BBC News. 15 January 2026. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
- ^ "Key figure in PSNI sex discrimination tribunal Jon Burrows 'devastated' at bias allegations and no reply". Irish News. 30 January 2023.
- ^ "Jon Burrows: The whole saga surrounding the Ormeau Road incident is a microcosm of what is wrong in Northern Ireland". News Letter.