A Northern Irish weekly has signed a “staunch Nationalist” former MP as a columnist just a week after taking on Unionist former First Minister Arlene Foster.

Bernadette McAliskey, formerly Bernadette Devlin, will write a weekly column for the Impartial Reporter as part of a drive by new editor Rodney Edwards to ensure the Enniskillen-based weekly gives “space to different viewpoints”.

Bernadette became prominent figure during the Civil Rights movement in Northern Ireland during the late 1960s and served as MP for Mid Ulster – initially on a Unity ticket and then as an Independent Socialist – from 1969 to 1974.

At the time of her election, she became the youngest MP in the history of the UK Parliament.

Rodney said: “I am determined that our new Opinion section contains a diverse mixture of people who can debate and discuss issues in a respectful way.

“From Arlene Foster to Bernadette McAliskey, I have said from the moment I became editor that we will provide space to different viewpoints.

“On my first day as editor, I phoned Bernadette and asked her to join us. She immediately said yes.

“I have long been an admirer of her ability to stand up for those in need. She will be right at home in our new-look Impartial Reporter. We are all very excited.”

Bernadette added: “When invited to write a regular column for the Impartial Reporter, I was genuinely excited by the opportunity, mostly because I have the greatest respect for the writing and integrity of the local journalist now returned from the national press to be editor.

“The Impartial Reporter has a long and very interesting history. Once considered by its rivals as a dangerous publication – too liberal and bordering on radical on occasion – it campaigned on the Irish land question, arguing for all the rights of tenants against the largely aristocratic landlords not only of Fermanagh, but also the neighbouring counties of Leitrim, Tyrone and Donegal.

“Local matters and neighbours count – every community is more connected, more sustainable, better and informed, kinder, wiser and wields more influence, the more open it is to diversity, and the greater its confidence in facilitating difference.

“The local newspaper is the platform and conduit for the expression of the diversity of opinion and idea within the community.

“I will be sharing my opinion on social inequalities and injustices; rural exclusion; education; transport; immigration and why there is room on this island for more people if we organised ourselves differently; how these things impact locally, and why human rights need to matter in all the small and local places where people live their daily lives, or else they mean nothing.

“I am looking forward to joining the paper at this time of new leadership and energy, and hope the readers enjoy the journey, too.”