ONE OF BBC Northern Ireland’s political correspondents has quit her job to join a religious order.
In a statement released today, Martina Purdy said that she was leaving the broadcaster due to “personal reasons”.
Purdy has been a journalist for almost 25 years, spending 15 years with BBC Northern Ireland.
She said that the BBC “has always been very supportive of my work” and wished her colleagues the best.
I know many people will not understand this decision. it is a decision that I have not come to lightly, but it is one that I make with love and great joy. I ask for prayers as I embark on this path with all humanity, faith and trust.
She asked the media to respect her privacy as faces up “to the new challenges in my life”.
Peter Johnston, Director of BBC NI, said: “We are extremely sad to be losing Martina from BBC NI’s political team.
She has made a big contribution to our political coverage over many years and she will be greatly missed. I wish her well in the new direction she has chosen for her life.
Head of News, Kathleen Carragher, said that Purdy was one of the station’s “most talented and hardworking correspondents”.
She has worked on daily and weekly television and radio news programmes, on documentaries, on election specials and on news online. We will miss her wit and wisdom. I wish her happiness and fulfilment in her new life.
Purdy previously worked with the Belfast Telegraph and the Irish News.
Shortly after the announcement, she tweeted a link to Mary Black singing Bright Blue Rose, a song that includes the lyrics: “For all of you who must discover, for all who seek to understand. For having left the path of others, you find a very special hand.”
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