Mike Nesbitt resigns as health minister amid row with UUP leader

Mike Nesbitt has resigned as health minister amid a row with the UUP leader Jon Burrows, it is understood.

The decision comes following a clash between the pair over withdrawing emergency general surgery (EGS) services from Causeway Hospital.

Nesbitt served twice as leader of the party, first from 2012 until 2017 and again from 2024 until earlier this year when Burrows took over .

Last week Burrows, who is a North Antrim MLA, told a town hall meeting that he did not support emergency general surgery being removed from Causeway.

The position appeared at odds with the Department of Health's policy on the matter, after the Northern Health Trust previously recommended that EGS should only be provided at one of its hospital sites .