By Julie Waters
THE shock resignation of Strangford MLA and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has plunged the Ulster Unionist Party and the Health Service into turbulent waters.
Mr Nesbitt, who has represented Strangford since 2011, has quit as Health Minister, after accusing UUP leader Jon Burrows of creating ‘shockwaves’ in the health system. The UUP leader has said he plans to discuss the health brief with party colleagues and will confirm a nomination soon.
Mr Nesbitt’s resignation decision came following a clash with the UUP leader over the threatened withdrawal of emergency general surgery from Causeway Hospital, in Coleraine, in Mr Burrow’s North Antrim constituency.
The Northern Trust had recommended its closure, despite widespread local opposition, and it was expected on Mr Nesbitt’s desk for a decision.
A public meeting was held in Coleraine last week called by campaigners fighting against the closure proposal. Mr Nesbitt was unable to attend so Mr Burrows went along in his place.
At the meeting Mr Burrows said he did not agree with the plan to remove emergency medicine from Coleraine. It is understood Mr Nesbitt felt his leader’s comments had seriously undermined his position and led to his resignation.
In his resignation letter posted on social media, Mr Nesbitt said he was not the ‘sort of Minister who is happy to discover the leader’s view of issues under my purview by having to monitor the media’.
“Yesterday, I offered you a way to manage this situation. As I have
not received a timely response, and given the shockwaves you
have created in the Health and Social Care system, this matter needs resolved.”
In a pointed comment, Mr Nesbitt said: “Bringing you into Stormont is on me, as is my decision to stand down as party leader, opening the opportunity for you to mount a successful campaign to take the role.”
In his resignation letter, Mr Nesbitt said that when Mr Burrows became party leader, he told him his ‘one red line’ was puberty blockers and his ‘opposition to Northern Ireland participating in the Pathways trial’.
However, Mr Nesbitt said the UUP leader had now introduced a ‘second red line regarding emergency general surgery at Causeway Hospital’.
“Being Minister of Health remains the greatest privilege of my political career. It is therefore, with no little regret that I have composed this letter of resignation.”
Mr Nesbitt was the most popular minister in the NI Executive, according to a LucidTalk poll held earlier this year. However Mr Nesbitt has already declared that he will not be running in next year’s Assembly election.
