Former NI parliamentary member dies

The Coalition has paid tribute to its “groundbreaking” and “groundbreaking” former MP Luanna, who has died aged 74.

Ms Lu is the first ethnic minority politician elected to Stormont. The first Chinese-born person elected to a Western European legislative assembly

Coalition leader Naomi Long described her as a “great friend” and paid tribute to her “dedication and passion for serving her constituents” in Belfast.

She added that Ms Luo had bravely faced the “shocking racism” she had faced during her political career.

Anna Lo was born in Hong Kong and moved to Northern Ireland in 1974.

Initially working as a translator and BBC secretary, she later attended the University of Ulster, where she qualified as a social worker.

She later became president of the Belfast Chinese Welfare Association and a founding member of the Northern Ireland Equality Commission.

Lo was first elected as an MP for Northern Ireland in 2007, representing south Belfast for the Unionist Party.

She was re-elected five years later and served until her retirement in 2016.

Her sons Owen and Conor Watson described her as “a campaigner for equality and social justice in Northern Ireland”.

In a family statement, they confirmed she died at Belfast City Hospital on Wednesday from complications of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

They added that even from her hospital bed, she “continued to support the issues she had dedicated her life to solving.”

“We are extremely proud of Anna and all she accomplished throughout her life and career,” her sons said.

“She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, partner and friend whose energy, joy and integrity inspired those she met.”

They added: “Anna stands for and fights for equality, women’s rights, against discrimination, including racism, and for a political system that serves the needs of people rather than exacerbating historical divisions.”

In a party statement, the coalition leader said: “Anna will always be remembered as a trailblazer in local politics.”

Ms Long added: “Her service to the Chinese community, good relations and the city of Belfast was transformative, much of which most people did not see.”

She said her friend “careed about many causes, including protecting the environment and human rights, and was a strong advocate for women’s rights and equality.”

She added that she would “miss her warmth, her humor, her kindness and her courage, like everyone in the league”.

Former Alliance leader David Ford said: “I was sad to hear of her passing, but her legacy as a trailblazer in Northern Ireland politics will live on.”

He told BBC’s Evening Extra that it was a “huge boost” for her in 2007 when Alliance became “Europe’s first Chinese legislator”.

“It shows that Northern Ireland is a different society, a changing society, and Anna is ready to prove that herself.

“You know, breaking through the glass ceiling, up until that stage, rallies had always been white and predominantly male.”

Mr Ford said she was a formidable politician who ” punched well above her weight intellectually ” despite her diminutive stature.

“I recall one time when she was leaving the party headquarters on University Street and found several people trying to interfere with her car,” he recalled.

“She walked straight towards them and they ran away.

“So Anna, who is only five feet tall, is able to intimidate street gangsters who may be thirty years younger than her.”

But he said he would personally remember her as “a very warm person” whose interest in people was evident in all aspects of her life.

Rowe has served on a number of parliamentary scrutiny committees, including as chair of the environment committee.

In 2014, she said she would not seek re-election, explaining Ongoing racist abuse influenced her decision.

Earlier that year, she announced Her preference for a united Ireland At the time she was a coalition candidate for the European Parliament.

She is survived by her sons Conor and Owen, two grandchildren and partner Robert.