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 1 Version 2
UUP not to nominate for ministry SDLP 'picks Ritchie for justice'
(about 8 hours later)
An Ulster Unionist MLA has said his party will not nominate someone for the role of policing and justice minister. The SDLP's nomination for justice minister will be Margaret Ritchie rather than current justice spokesman Alban Maginness, the BBC understands.
Last week the first and deputy first ministers wrote to MLAs inviting them to nominate candidates for the post by 11 December. Last week, the first and deputy first ministers invited parties to nominate candidates for the post by 11 December.
It is understood the SDLP has selected Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie as their nominee. Ms Ritchie is vying for the SDLP leadership with Alasdair McDonnell and party sources suggest her nomination is an attempt to boost her campaign.
Mrs Ritchie won the support of the SDLP assembly team at a meeting on Monday over MLA and barrister Alban Maginness. A party spokesman said an announcement would be made later in the week.
The letter from Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness made it clear they will not pick one of their own MLAs. He said SDLP leader Mark Durkan would be writing to Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness to confirm the party has a number of "eligible and capable candidates".
It is thought that Mr Durkan, who is stepping down after the general election, proposed Social Development Minister Ms Ritchie as its candidate for the justice ministry.
The letter from DUP leader Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness of Sinn Fein made it clear they would not pick one of their own assembly members.
David McNarry said the letter calling for nominations was "silly"
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.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 progress on a community relations strategy.