A new MP fought back tears as he recalled his parents' deaths in a house fire and said of his election to Parliament, "I hope I made you proud."

After delivering his first address in the House of Commons, Alex Easton received hugs from fellow MPs. After leaving the DUP in 2021, the independent unionist MP won the North Down election for the fourth time. However, his achievement was tinged with tragedy when his mother and father perished in January 2023 as a result of a fire in a residence in Bangor's Dellmount Park neighbourhood.Alex Easton dabbed his tears and was embraced by other MPs after delivering his first speech in the House of Commons. The independent unionist MP, who left the DUP in 2021, won the North Down seat for the fourth time. But his accomplishment was tempered with melancholy since his mother and father died in January.

"So I just wanted to say to my father, I hope I made you proud. "And I'd also like to point out that having everything taken away from you like that makes you appreciate how important your family is, and it makes you realise how much you've taken for granted throughout your life, such as the health care always being available to you. I do appreciate individuals in the health service who attempted to assist my mother and father."So I just want to say to my father, "I hope I made you proud." "And I also want to add that when you have everything taken away from you like that, it makes you appreciate just how essential your family is.

"I also want to thank the PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland) for their efforts in assisting me. "I'd also like to thank the Northern Ireland Fire Service for doing everything they could to help my mother and father. "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 spoke after Mr Easton, said: "I know I speak for the whole House when I say to the Member for North Down, your parents and father will undoubtedly be proud of you today and the work I am confident you will accomplish in this House. "You should take that."