Next UUP leader changing health minister would raise questions – Nesbitt

Outgoing Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt has said any decision to replace him as health minister would “perhaps raise questions”.

Mr Nesbitt also said it would have been his “personal preference” for there to have been a competition to replace him as the party’s leader.

Former senior police officer Jon Burrows became UUP leader-elect when Lagan Valley MLA Robbie Butler confirmed he would not put himself forward for a leadership contest last week.

Mr Burrows, the only candidate, will be ratified as leader following a party meeting later this month.

When announcing his decision to step down as leader earlier this year, Mr Nesbitt said he wanted to retain his position as Northern Ireland’s health minister.

He took on the Stormont ministerial role when he succeeded party colleague Robin Swann in May 2024.

However, Mr Burrows has yet to publicly confirm that he will retain Mr Nesbitt in the ministerial post when he takes control of the party.

Mr Nesbitt was asked about this when he appeared before the media at Stormont on Monday.

He said: “I would be very keen to remain as health minister.

“I think to have a third Ulster Unionist health minister in two years would be a decision that would perhaps raise questions.”

Asked if he had made this position clear to Mr Burrows, he responded: “I think I have made it clear publicly.”

Mr Nesbitt has been the UUP leader on two occasions, having led the party between 2012 and 2017 and then returning when he replaced Doug Beattie in September of last year.

He said he believed a competition to decide the leadership was a good thing as a “matter of principle”.

Mr Nesbitt said: “Of course when I was elected first time I went through a competition against a long-standing member of the party.

“This time around it was more of a coronation.

“My personal preference would be for competition, but we are where we are.

“I have spoken to both Jon and Robbie since it became clear there wasn’t going to be a competition and I am satisfied that both are in a relatively good place.”