The North's Agriculture Minister, Mrs Bríd Rodgers, will be named Channel Four's Northern Ireland Politician of the Year at an awards ceremony in London today, according to SDLP sources.
She won the award following the balloting of members of the Northern Ireland Assembly. Mrs Rodgers (67) was widely praised for her handling of the foot-and-mouth crisis last year. She had wanted the education, health or arts portfolios in the new Stormont Executive but, as the last nominee, was given agriculture. The post has been her making and she has secured the respect of many unionist farmers. Ms Rodgers was defeated by Sinn Féin for the Westminster seat in West Tyrone in last June's election but was overwhelmingly elected SDLP deputy leader in November.
She is the North's most high-profile woman politician. Ms Rodgers, who is currently attending the World Economic Forum in New York, will not be present for the awards ceremony in London, which will be hosted by Jon Snow. The Ulster Unionist Economy Minister, Sir Reg Empey, won the award last year. Other awards include Outstanding Political Achievement and Labour Backbencher of the Year.