Tom Elliott said he was “totally shocked” after being made a peer

Former Ulster Unionist leader Tom Elliott, who was made a peer in the dissolution honours list, said the news had come as a “total shock”, adding: “I’m still the same person.”

The Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP was one of 19 new peers announced on Thursday.

He held the Fermanagh South Tyrone seat in Westminster for the UUP from 2015 to 2017, and now sits at Stormont.

Speaking on arrival at the Magherafelt counting centre, Mr Elliott said: “It’s different. It’s something I didn’t expect. It was a complete shock and surprise,” he said.

“I see it more as a reward for the community than for myself. As for me, I don’t want to change. I’m still the same person. I hope that’s how it will be.”

“It’s a great honour and privilege to be a peer, but I take it as it comes. To be honest, I only heard the news officially this evening at 7:20pm, so I haven’t had much time to get used to it.

“I had to tell my family. In life, things change quickly and that’s just the way it is. I hope things don’t change drastically for me.”

Mr Elliott, who was party leader from 2010 to 2012, is currently deputy chief whip and party spokesperson for agriculture and environment and chairs Stormont’s agriculture, environment and rural affairs committee.