This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/8401295.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
UUP not to nominate for ministry | UUP not to nominate for ministry |
(about 1 hour later) | |
An Ulster Unionist MLA has said his party will not nominate someone for the role of policing and justice minister. | An Ulster Unionist MLA has said his party will not nominate someone for the role of policing and justice minister. |
Last week the first and deputy first ministers wrote to MLAs inviting them to nominate candidates for the post by 11 December. | |
It is understood the SDLP has selected Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie as their nominee. | |
Mrs Ritchie won the support of the SDLP assembly team at a meeting on Monday over MLA and barrister Alban Maginness. | |
The letter from Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness made it clear they will not pick one of their own MLAs. | The letter from Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness made it clear they will not pick one of their own MLAs. |
Ulster Unionist David McNarry said his party viewed the letter as "silly" and would not be responding to it and that the DUP should lead on the issue. | |
"What way is that to run a government," said Mr McNarry. | "What way is that to run a government," said Mr McNarry. |
"That you beat your chest and say 'I'm the DUP and I'm Sinn Fein and we're the two big parties - we're not running, so would you send some proxy guys'." | "That you beat your chest and say 'I'm the DUP and I'm Sinn Fein and we're the two big parties - we're not running, so would you send some proxy guys'." |
The letter from Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness called on the other party leaders to consider which candidates are likely to get cross-community support, adding that they hoped to agree on a potential minister before Christmas. | The letter from Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness called on the other party leaders to consider which candidates are likely to get cross-community support, adding that they hoped to agree on a potential minister before Christmas. |
On Saturday it emerged that the Alliance Party would not put forward any names for consideration as minister of justice without agreement on other key issues first. | On Saturday it emerged that the Alliance Party would not put forward any names for consideration as minister of justice without agreement on other key issues first. |
In a leaked letter, the party said there must first be agreement on a policy programme for the justice post. | In a leaked letter, the party said there must first be agreement on a policy programme for the justice post. |
It also wants real progress on a community relations strategy. | It also wants real progress on a community relations strategy. |