The new leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) Tom Elliott has removed his predecessor Sir Reg Empey from the Northern Ireland Executive, it was confirmed today.
In the reshuffle announced by the party’s new figurehead, who was elected last month, senior colleague Danny Kennedy will replace Sir Reg as Minister for Employment and Learning.
Mr Elliott paid tribute to Sir Reg, who announced his decision to resign as party leader after the UUP’s poor General Election performance, when it failed to secure a single Westminster seat.
In a further move, Mr Elliott today confirmed that John McCallister, the only UUP Assembly member to back his opponent Basil McCrea in the leadership race, is to replace Mr Kennedy as deputy leader of the party’s Stormont grouping.
Mr Elliott said: “I have taken time to consider opportunities for change within the Ulster Unionist Party Assembly team following my election last month, and from today Danny Kennedy will head up the Department of Employment and Learning and John McCallister will sit as Deputy Leader of the Assembly team.
“I am extremely grateful to all my colleagues for their hard work across all portfolios, and know that they will continue to do so in the best interests of Northern Ireland.”
Tom Elliott replaces Danny Kennedy as chair of the powerful Assembly committee that scrutinises the work of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.
PA