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Profile: Edwin Poots

Edwin Poots

BBC Radio 4 - Profile, Edwin Poots

A profile of the newly elected leader of the Democratic Unionist Party.

An in-depth look at the life and career of Edwin Poots, the newly elected leader of the Democratic Unionist Party.

Edwin Poots has been named as the new leader of the Democratic Unionist Party. 

A farmer from the outskirts of Lisburn, not far from Belfast. Mr Poots entered political life in 1997 - and, since then, he's slowly but steadily risen to the top. He's held four Ministeries including health and agriculture and is viewed across the sectarian divide as a shrewd political strategist. 

A devoutly religious and committed member of the Free Presbyterian church, Mr Poots's ultra-conservative views on issues such as abortion and gay marriage have attracted heavy criticism over the years, as has his strongly held belief that the earth is approx. 6,000 years old.

His supporters, however, insist that his personal beliefs have no bearing on his ability to do his job - and to lead the DUP into a new era. 

Via in-depth interviews with family, close personal friends and political commentators, Becky Milligan reveals the character behind the caricature sketched by media, the real person behind the public persona of Edwin Poots.

Presenter: Becky Milligan
Researcher: Stefania Okereke
Studio manager: Rod Farquhar
Programme co-ordinator: Janet Staples
Producer: Paul Connolly
Editor: Richard Vadon and Alex Lewis

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