{"id":25269,"date":"2022-02-26T10:11:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-26T15:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=25269"},"modified":"2022-02-26T20:14:34","modified_gmt":"2022-02-27T01:14:34","slug":"politicians-gather-for-the-funeral-of-christopher-stalford","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=25269","title":{"rendered":"Politicians Gather For The Funeral Of Christopher Stalford"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The 39-year-old father of four died suddenly last weekend (PA Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mourners from across the political spectrum gathered in Belfast on Saturday for the funeral service of DUP MLA Christopher Stalford.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, alongside party MPs and MLAs, were among the congregation at Ravenhill Presbyterian Church in south Belfast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 39-year-old father of four died suddenly last weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leaders from across unionism in the North, including Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie and Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister, attended the funeral service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Representatives from Sinn F\u00e9in, the SDLP, the Alliance Party and the Green Party were also in attendance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The death of Mr Stalford caused shockwaves across politics, with British prime minister Boris Johnson among those who paid tribute to the Principal Deputy Speaker of the Stormont Assembly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A crowd gathered outside the south Belfast church on Saturday to pay their respects to the DUP representative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Donaldson said earlier that his party was devastated by the loss of \u201cour dear friend and much loved colleague\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Describing him as a loving husband, father and son, Mr Donaldson said first and foremost their thoughts and prayers are with Mr Stalford\u2019s wife, Laura, their four children and wider family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a statement, Mrs Stalford and the wider family thanked everyone for their kind messages, which they described as having been a comfort at an incredibly sad time.<\/p>\n

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