Emma Little-Pengelly defends taxpayer-funded trip to attend Wimbledon royal box

By Cillian Sherlock, PA

The deputy First Minister has said she was representing Northern Ireland when she attended Wimbledon last month.

It was reported that almost £1,000 (€1,150) in public funds was spent on flights and accommodation for Emma Little-Pengelly and her husband, Education Authority chief executive Richard Pengelly, to attend the tournament.

The deputy First Minister told reporters on Tuesday that she attends many events of significance throughout the year.

Asked about the matter following a meeting with British finance minister Rachel Reeves, she said: “You will see that throughout the week, throughout every month, we have many different roles.

“Part of that is advocacy – that’s what we’re doing today in terms of emphasising to the Chancellor the needs of the people of Northern Ireland and to ask for that support for that economic growth.

“But there’s also a representative role. I count it as a huge privilege to be in this role.

“And of course, if anybody follows my social media, you will see that I am out and about on a weekly basis, representing and attending hundreds of events – most of them local community events.

“But of course, those national events and events of sport and significance as well throughout the year.”

It is the biggest honour of my life to serve in this role as your deputy First Minister, with responsibility of jointly leading the Executive. In my role, I lead from the front and I lead from the heart ❤️. I have worked tirelessly to champion Northern Ireland at every… pic.twitter.com/vr5N7sXKZJ

— Emma Little-Pengelly BL (@little_pengelly) August 8, 2025

Ms Little-Pengelly said she had little to add to social media posts she made on Friday.

In those posts, she said: “It is the biggest honour of my life to serve in this role as your deputy First Minister, with responsibility of jointly leading the Executive.

“In my role, I lead from the front and I lead from the heart. I have worked tirelessly to champion Northern Ireland at every opportunity. I will always do so.”

She added: “I count it a huge honour to have been invited as deputy First Minister to attend the Royal Box at Wimbledon at the invitation of the chair of the club.

“The organisers invite a mix of political, Government, investors, business along with the world of sport and entertainment, and of course royalty, as part of the official aspect of the tournament in the Royal Box.

“It is hugely positive that Northern Ireland is invited to be represented at this significant UK British national sporting event, of huge global impact.

“Wimbledon generates over £200 million for the UK economy. I was hugely honoured to be asked to support the event and to represent officially as deputy First Minister.”