NEWLY appointed south Belfast DUP MLA Emma Pengelly has been promoted to the post of junior minister in of the Officer of First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM).

It comes one month after taking her assembly seat when she replaced the retiring DUP MLA Jimmy Spratt.

Prior to joining the back benches in the Assembly, Mrs Pengelly had worked as a special adviser (SPAD) to First Minister Peter Robinson.

Today, Mrs Pengelly has now been appointed as a junior minister in his department.

She also received a £46,000 severance package when she left her SPAD role.

And with becoming a junior minister, her salary will jump up another £45,000.

Mrs Pengelly’s co-option to the south Belfast seat upset some in the party.

Belfast City Councillor Ruth Patterson was furious and demanded a face-to-face meeting with party leader Peter Robinson.