Social Democratic and Labour Party Leader Claire Hanna MP has paid tribute to former US President Jimmy Carter following his death.

President Carter, America’s 39th President, passed away at the age of 100.

Ms Hanna said President Carter was the first US President to seriously engage with issues in Northern Ireland.

South Belfast and Mid Down MP Ms Hanna said:

“Throughout his life Jimmy Carter was an advocate for human rights, peace, humanitarianism and doing what’s right, no matter how difficult. Alongside his late wife Rosalynn, his legacy stretches far beyond his term as President and his achievements through the Carter Centre and with Habitat for Humanity are arguably just as meaningful as anything he achieved while in office.

“At a time when violence was raging across Northern Ireland, Jimmy Carter ignored advice not to intervene and stuck his head above the parapet calling for the US to become directly involved in trying to secure peace here and promising investment after it was established. He was persuaded to get involved by Tip O’Neill, Ted Kennedy and others who updated him with the latest happenings here, though their own engagement with John Hume.

“Carter’s intervention was a significant one, he was serious about his commitment to advancing the cause of peace around the world and shared Hume’s vision that the only solution to the conflict here could be a peaceful one. His statement sent a clear message to the then-British government that they could no longer act with impunity when it came to Northern Ireland.

“Jimmy Carter leaves a lasting imprint not only on Northern Ireland, but around the world. He has left the world a better place as a result of his contribution throughout a lifetime of service and I can think of no greater legacy than that.”