DUP MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone Deborah Erskine called it a “huge honour” to be part of a delegation of Northern Ireland MLAs who were selected to attend the service at Westminster Hall, London on Wednesday (September 14) which received the remains of Her Majesty The Queen and marked the beginning of her lying in state ahead of her funeral on Monday (September 19).

Mrs. Erskine was among 14 Northern Ireland MLAs to be selected to attend, and the only MLA from West of the Bann.

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter on Tuesday (September 13) ahead of the service the following day, Mrs. Erskine said: “It’ll be a really sad occasion but quite a momentous one as well.

“I was really shocked to have been asked and, indeed, I think it’s a huge honour to be there for this moment in our country’s history.

“For Fermanagh and South Tyrone, I think it’s lovely that there is somebody there to represent this part of the world.

“I’ve no doubt that there’ll obviously be people there with Fermanagh connections and representing Fermanagh as well, but it’s just lovely that we do have representation at that moment,” she added.