Richard Ferguson (politician)

Richard Ferguson (born 22 August 1935) is a barrister and former politician in Northern Ireland.

Ferguson studied at Trinity College, Dublin and Queen's University, Belfast before qualifying to practice as a barrister in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and from 1972, in England. [http://www.election.demon.co.uk/stormont/biographies.html Biographies of Members of the Northern Ireland House of Commons] ]

In 1968, Ferguson was elected to the Parliament of Northern Ireland for the Ulster Unionist Party, representing South Antrim. He was considered a liberal Unionist and was a supporter of the Prime Minister Terence O'Neill. [Graham Walker, "A History of the Ulster Unionist Party"] Before his election, he called for local government reform including a one-man one-vote system. [ [http://dnausers.d-n-a.net/dnetvcro/temporary/AMS-october3.html 14-19 October, 1968] , Historical Documents Project, The Queen's University of Belfast]

Ferguson held his seat at the 1969 general election. In August, he resigned from the Orange Order, and was subsequently subject to intimidation.Tony Geraghty, "The Irish War: The Hidden Conflict Between the IRA and British Intelligence"] He stood down from Parliament in 1970 alongside O'Neill, citing ill health. In April, his house was bombed in attack blamed on loyalists.

In 1971, Ferguson joined the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland but did not continue in an active political role. Instead, he focussed on law, becoming a Queen's Counsel (QC) in Northern Ireland in 1973 and chairing the Northern Ireland Mental Health Review Tribunal from 1973 until 1984. In 1983, he became a State's Counsel, and in 1986 a QC in England. From 1993 until 1995, he served as the Chair of the Criminal Bar Association.

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