UUP lose two committee positions

Published Wednesday, 01 February 2012

The Ulster Unionist Party has withdrawn positions from two Stormont committees following the departure of David McNarry from its Assembly group.

David McNarry quit the UUP group after being disciplined. (© PA)

A statement from the party said it will give up one place on both the committee for Employment and Learning (DEL) and Regional Development (DRD).

The UUP had two positions at the DEL and DRD committees, and is still represented by one member at each committee.

Due to standing orders one of these places will go to Sinn Féin while the other will be offered to Mr McNarry - who quit the group after being disciplined for speaking to the media about secret talks on unionist unity with the DUP.

Party leader Tom Elliott dropped him from his position as Deputy Chair of the Education committee, a seat which has now gone to Strangford MLA Mike Nesbitt.

The statement issued on Wednesday said: "It is for David McNarry to explain how the loss of a Stormont Committee seat to Sinn Féin - caused by his decision to leave the Ulster Unionist Assembly Group - advances the cause of Unionism."

The reshuffle will also see Mid Ulster MLA Sandra Overend join the Enterprise and Trade committee, and assume the role of party spokesperson.

The moves were decided during a meeting on Tuesday morning, the UUP said.

Comments

7 Comments

Stevo the Magnificent in NEWTOWNABBEY wrote (113 days ago):

Someone pass the marmalade, because the UUP are toast... at least, until the conservative and liberal and pro-Tory wings of the party have it out in a big field with each other, with the la- aw, screw it, what's the point, I think I hear Carson and Craig spinning in their graves, and who can blame them!?

CHARLES in lisbellaw wrote (113 days ago):

The UU who? Yawn Yawn Yawn !!. Who the hell cares??.

MIKE in uk wrote (113 days ago):

GOING BY MIKE NESBITTS PAST PERFORMANCES ON UTV NEWS IN THE PAST I AM AMAZED HE IS EVEN A UNIONIST. I THINK THE UUP IS BECOMING AN EXTENSION OF THE ALLIANCE PARTY .

tom in uk wrote (113 days ago):

tom elliot is fully to blame for yet another sinn fein gain,not david mcnarry.Every day elliot stays as leader of the uup it is another gain for sinn fein. One unionist party ONE unioniot vote.

JAE in Fermanagh wrote (113 days ago):

Tom/David Do you both not think this squabble has dragged on long enough! Neither of you, nor your party are benefitting from this rift! There is only one winner the Duppers who have duped our Unionist community for long enough as disclosed by Peter Hain revelations about their need to retain their pay cheques. Sort out your differences behind closed doors and don't hang out your dirty laundy in public!

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