Michelle Gildernew

Sinn Fein MP Fermanagh and South Tyrone

Date of birth

1 January, 1970

Political profile

Michelle Gildernew, who was a member of Sinn Fein's delegation to Downing Street talks in 1997, was elected to Parliament for the first time in the 2001 general election.

Her narrow victory was questioned by the UUP in court after the election.

They alleged that a number of votes were cast after 10pm, but their bid to overturn the result failed.

Like all Sinn Fein MPs, she has not taken her seat in the Commons since to do so would require her to swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen.

A former Sinn Fein press officer and spokesperson on Social Development, she is also a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly, where she is Deputy Chair of the Social Development committee.

Contact

Commons office: 020 7219 3000