‘I hope I made you proud’ – MP fights back tears as he recalls death of parents

A new MP fought back tears after recalling the death of his parents in a house fire, saying of his election to Parliament: “I hope I made you proud.”

Alex Easton dabbed his eyes and was hugged by fellow MPs after delivering his maiden speech in the House of Commons .

The independent unionist MP, who quit the DUP in 2021, triumphed in North Down at the fourth time of asking.

But his success was tinged with sadness after his mother and father died in January 2023 following a blaze at a property in the Dellmount Park area of Bangor.

Alec and Ann Easton, who were aged in their 80s, were treated for injuries but both died at the scene.

Speaking in the Commons, Mr Easton said their deaths “caused a lot of heartache for me”.

So I just want to say to my dad, I hope I made you proud

He added: “But what I want to say about my dad is that my dad believed in me, especially in all my four attempts to try to get to Westminster and I finally succeeded.

“So I just want to say to my dad, I hope I made you proud.

“And I want to also say that when you have everything taken away from you like that, it makes you realise just how important your family is, it makes you see everything that you’ve taken for granted throughout your life – such as the health service always being there for you. I do appreciate those people in the health service who tried to help my mum and dad.

“Also the PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland), who tried to help me – I so much appreciate you.

“And I also want to pay tribute to the Northern Ireland fire service who did everything in their power to help my mum and dad.

“I just want to let you know that I appreciate everything you’ve done for my family and I mean that from the bottom of my heart.”

Labour MP Chris Webb (Blackpool South), who followed Mr Easton, said: “I know I speak for the whole House when I say to the Member for North Down, your parents and I know your father will definitely be proud of you today and the work I’m sure you’ll do in this House.

“You should take that with you in every step in this place. They will be and are proud of you.”