![\"Emma](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/9b90a897-fbaf-4848-978a-d524886fd8e8.jpg\")
<\/p>\nEmma Little-Pengelly said it was \u201chugely positive\u201d that she could represent Northern Ireland by attending the tournament.<\/p>\n
Ms Little-Pengelly and her husband, Education Authority chief executive Richard Pengelly, were pictured at the event last month.<\/p>\n
The pair were snapped in centre court’s Royal Box alongside celebrities including US pop star Olivia Rodrigo, England football boss Thomas Tuchel and wrestler John Cena.<\/p>\n
First Minister Michelle O\u2019Neill was also invited to the tournament, but turned it down.<\/p>\n
It later emerged the taxpayer footed the bill for Ms Little-Pengelly\u2019s attendance. Some \u00a3980 was spent on flights and accommodation.<\/p>\n
On Friday Alliance deputy leader E\u00f3in Tennyson urged her to repay the money.<\/p>\n
Mr Tennyson said it “beggars belief that the Deputy First Minister saw fit to take a jolly to Wimbledon on the taxpayers\u2019 dime.\u201d<\/p>\n
His statement added: \u201cThe only decent thing to do, at this point, would be for the Deputy First Minister to pay the money back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Little-Pengelly addressed the controversy for the first time in a post on X on Friday night.<\/p>\n
She said her role as Deputy First Minister involved \u201cleading from the front\u201d, saying she has \u201cworked tirelessly to champion Northern Ireland at every opportunity\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn this role we have the huge privilege too of being invited to attend Northern Ireland, Irish and UK events of national significance, including sporting events,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI count it a huge honour to have been invited as DFM to attend the Royal Box at Wimbledon at the invitation of the chair of the club.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is hugely positive that Northern Ireland is invited to be represented at this significant UK British national sporting event, of huge global impact.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Emma Little-Pengelly and her husband Richard at Wimbledon last week (Photo: Emma Little-Pengelly\/Facebook)<\/p>\n
News Catch Up – Friday 8th August <\/p>\n
\u201cWimbledon generates over \u00a3200million for the UK economy. I was hugely honoured to be asked to support the event and to represent officially as DFM.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will always be the biggest champion of this wonderful place of Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will always do my best to promote us at every opportunity and it is the biggest honour of my life to ensure our voice is heard.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a unionist, I am determined too to play my part in supporting and promoting all that is fantastic about our UK.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome will criticise, some will try and attack. It will not diminish nor distract me from my drive and determination. It will not stop my positivity and championing Northern Ireland.\u201d<\/p>\n