Jim Shannon
Jim Shannon | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2020 | |
| Member of Parliament for Strangford | |
| Assumed office 6 May 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Iris Robinson |
| Majority | 5,131 (13.2%) |
| Democratic Unionist portfolios | |
| 2017–present 2012–2015 | Human Rights |
| 2015–present 2010–2015 | Health |
| 2015–2017 | Equality |
| 2015–2017 2010–2015 | Transport |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly for Strangford | |
| In office 25 June 1998 – 2 August 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Simpson Gibson |
| Member of the Northern Ireland Forum for Strangford | |
| In office 30 May 1996 – 25 April 1998 | |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Local government offices | |
| 1991–92 | 14th Mayor of Ards |
| 1990–91 | 13th Deputy Mayor of Ards |
| Member of Ards Borough Council for Ards Peninsula | |
| In office 15 May 1985 – 5 May 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Robert Adair |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Richard James Shannon 25 March 1955 Omagh, Northern Ireland |
| Party | Democratic Unionist Party |
| Spouse | Sandra Shannon |
| Children | 3 |
Richard James Shannon (born 25 March 1955) is a Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) politician who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Strangford since 2010. He is the DUP's Spokesperson for Health and Human Rights. He had previously sat in the Northern Ireland Assembly from 1998 to 2010 as the Member of the Legislative Assembly of Northern Ireland (MLA) for Strangford.
As the DUP’s Health and Human Rights spokesperson, Shannon is a highly active MP, frequently contributing to parliamentary debates, particularly adjournment debates, to support backbench colleagues. He chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group on International Freedom of Religion or Belief, advocating for human rights, and has initiated bills on issues like defibrillator access and religious freedom. A vocal Brexit supporter, he has also faced scrutiny for high expense claims, notably £205,798 in 2015, prompting an investigation. In 2024, he made headlines by swearing his parliamentary oath in Ulster Scots.