Mike Nesbitt

Mike Nesbitt, who is now leading the UUP, will be formally ratified at the party's conference later this month. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

Nesbitt only unionist leader not to comment on Finucane inquiry

The DUP claimed to have effectively removed the sea border, harming its credibility. Voters could only assume that the party exaggerated deliberately, or that it was hoodwinked by the government. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye

Owen Polley: Unionist parties need to set out a vision for NI, not just tactics

Morning View

Editorial: Mike Nesbitt makes plausible points about unionist unity

Representatives of the SOS Daisy Hill group along with Health Minister Mike Nesbitt

SOS Daisy Hill Hospital Committee meet with Health Minister

News UUP leader Mike Nesbitt says he feels "very confident" that he has got the support of "the vast majority if not all" of the UUP's elected representatives. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Nesbitt focuses on stabilising UUP after recent turmoil

Infamously, the DUP claimed to have got rid of the Irish Sea border through its Safeguarding the Union agreement with Rishi Sunak. After Gavin Robinson became leader, he acknowledged that his party ‘oversold’ its achievements. Photo by Jonathan Porter /Press Eye

Owen Polley: There's a risk unionists again repeat untruths on Irish Sea border

Mike Nesbitt has said he feels "very confident" that he has got the support of "the vast majority if not all" of the UUP's elected representatives. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Beattie resignation: 'Silence is complicity' says ex-UUP member

A homeowner turns down the temperature of their heating. Winter fuel payments will only be given to pensioners on certain benefits, in line with new changes brought in by the Labour government in England and Wales

Move to end universal winter fuel payments for pensioners to be extended to NI

Ulster Unionist Party leader-elect Mike Nesbitt speaking to members of the media outside Stormont. He said he feels "very confident" that he has got the support of "the vast majority if not all" of the UUP's elected representatives. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Nesbitt is new UUP leader as party officers face uncertain future

Mike Nesbitt looks set for an effective coronation as the next Ulster Unionist leader. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Vote Mike, get Mike – UUP set for coronation

Morning View

Editorial: A devoted MP for Foyle, Eastwood also oversaw 'greening' of tSDLP

Mike Nesbitt will inspire purpose and belief in the UUP again, writes Michael Palmer. He was the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party from 2012 to 2017 and has been a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for Strangford since 2011

Letter: Mike Nesbitt is sure to win success for UUP

Alliance ministers Naomi Long and Andrew Muir have remained tight-lipped about the Executive's decision to ban puberty blockers - but junior party members have publicly made their anger known. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Alliance reps 'given free rein to criticise expert advice' - TUV

Ulster Unionist Party leadership favourite Mike Nesbitt. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Former leader backs Mike Nesbitt as next Ulster Unionist Party boss

Lagan Valley MLA Robbie Butler has welcomed Mike Nesbitt's candidature and said he is right for the role 'at this time'. Pic credit: Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Butler says Mike Nesbitt is right for leader role ‘at this time’

Mike Nesbitt looks set to return to the post of UUP leader after receiving the endorsement of potential challenger Robbie Butler. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

Discipline will be test for Mike Nesbitt after internal spat
Party discipline will be a key test for the authority of the next Ulster Unionist leader after internal divisions resulted in the toppling of Doug Beattie and an ensuing public spat involving party officers.
By The Newsroom

The UUP’s Mike Nesbitt pictured in the Great Hall at Parliament Buildings, Stormont.Photo by Jonathan Porter /Press Eye

Butler endorses Nesbitt return as UUP leader

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has extended the appointment of Professor Siobhan O’Neill as the Mental Health Champion for Northern Ireland

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt announces extension of NI's mental health champion

Alliance ministers Andrew Muir, Naomi Long - pictured here with former MP Stephen Farry - are likely to face a future decision on whether to extend a ban on puberty blockers, after a claim from the party's Lord Mayor of Belfast that it continues to "support those in need of access to puberty blockers". Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Alliance faces decisions on puberty blockers ban

The Health Minister has defended a public consultation which could see the Causeway Coast Hospital it lose its general emergency surgery service.

Minister defends consultation on removing emergency general surgery

The former UUP leader Mike Nesbitt’s unionism sometimes seems like the Christianity practised by vicars who do not believe in God. Above left in 2019 he joined Alliance’s Stephen Farry and SF’s Niall Ó Donnghaile, right, behind Jake and Emma de Souza’s bid to have UK citizenship law applied differently in Northern Ireland. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press

Owen Polley: Ulster Unionists take note - you can be moderate and firm on Union

Former neurologist Michael Watt

Legal bid to secure public inquiry into work of neurologist Michael Watt

Lagan Valley MLA Robbie Butler appears to be the most likely candidate to replace Doug Beattie - if he wants the job. Pic credit: Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

UUP leadership vacancy could result in a 'huge embarrassment'

Doug Beattie, leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) speaks during his party's manifesto launch at the Stormont Hotel in Belfast. Picture date: Wednesday June 26, 2024.

Can any leader ever reform the UUP?

Morning View

Editorial: Doug Beattie wanted an attractive and intelligent form of unionism

DUP leader Gavin Robinson released a statement after Doug Beattie stood down as the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party

DUP leader Gavin Robinson says maximising pro-Union vote is top of his agenda

Doug Beattie quit on Monday, citing “irreconcilable differences” with party officers

Tributes paid as ‘fair, tough and reasonable’ Doug Beattie quits as UUP leader
Outgoing Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader Doug Beattie always sought to act in the best interests of Northern Ireland , the Secretary of State has said.
By Cillian Sherlock, PA

Ulster Unionist Party Leader Doug Beattie. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Beattie quits as UUP boss after first offering resignation in July

Erin Harbinson

Erin Harbinson: Funeral today for beloved cervical cancer campaigning mum

Owner Abdelkader Mohamad Al Alloush outside his destroyed Sham Supermarket on Donegall Road in Belfast

Syrian living in Northern Ireland draws safety comparisons after disorder

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt

Nesbitt offers support to ‘vulnerable’ healthcare staff after disorder

A 'progress pride flag' on display; the flag is one of several used by the transgender movement. ‘Puberty blockers’ is the general name for drugs which are often given to teenagers and pre-teens who declare themselves to be transgender

Letter: NI mustn’t become black market for puberty blockers

The order of service for the funeral of John Bennett at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Ballygowan, Co Down, the veteran BBC broadcaster who died aged 82

John Bennett described as 'one of the greatest broadcasters'

A "progress pride flag" on display; the flag is one of several used by the transgender movement

TUV and DUP urge outright ban on puberty blockers

Natasha Lester, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, Melvin Gould and Kerry Mallon

Social care practitioners recognised at launch

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has welcomed the BMA NI Consultant Committee’s decision to recommend the Department’s proposed 2024/25 pay offer for consultants to its membership

BMA consultants in Northern Ireland invited to accept 5.26% pay uplift

Jim Wells said the only area where centralising services has actually worked is cancer, where much of the treatment is now concentrated in Belfast City Hospital

Hospital closures: A backlash 'that must be seen to be believed' awaits

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has set out a series of key initiatives to tackle health inequality

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt sets out series of key initiatives

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt visited Gary Rutherford and his team at ARC Fitness on Tuesday (July 9) where he heard from a service user and Gary about the vital work and help the organisation provides to people and their families who are dealing with addiction. The Minister announced funding worth £200,000 to help secure the future for the much needed service

£200,000 funding announced for mental health project in Londonderry

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has led tributes after the death of Andrew Dougal, former chief executive of the Chest Heart and Stroke Charity.

Tributes to 'gentleman and health advocate' Andrew Dougal

Mike Nesbitt faced his first question time as health minister

Mike Nesbitt rules out prospect of Northern Ireland hospital closures

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt reiterated his vow not to implement cuts that would have a catastrophic impact on service delivery within the health service

Nesbitt insists he is not looking to pick a fight with the Executive on funding

Northern Ireland's six health trusts issued a statement on Monday, warning that hospital beds could be cut and care packages scaled back due to cutbacks. Photo: PA

Warning on hospital beds cuts 'partly politics’ says former health chief

In a joint statement, the six chairs of Northern Ireland’s health trusts said they were 'deeply concerned at the financial outlook for the frontline services which our organisations deliver'

Health Trust chiefs warn of 'serious harm' to people in need of care

Surgeons have called for recurrent budget to tackle Northern Ireland's waiting times

Surgeons 'extremely concerned' by quarterly statistics released by DoH

New Health Minister Mike Nesbitt

Mike Nesbitt not prepared to implement "catastrophic cuts" to health services

Health Minister Robin Swann in the Great Hall at Parliament Buildings at Stormont, walking into the Assembly Chamber after recess of the debate on the Budget

DUP accuses UUP of 'irresponsible' vote as rest of Executive backs plans

Stormont Assembly members have backed this year's budget in a vote that saw the outgoing Health Minister and his UUP colleagues oppose the spending plan

Stormont Assembly members have backed this year's budget despite opposition

Health Minister Robin Swann

Spending cuts in healthcare service will still leave a deficit: Swann

Alliance is hosting an event which will discuss the inability of Irish citizens living in Northern Ireland to vote in European Parliament elections.

Alliance silent on Irish vote stance

Mourners embrace each other as the hearse, carrying the coffin of former BBC Northern Ireland political editor Stephen Grimason, arrives for his funeral mass at Drumbeg Parish Church in Dunmurry, Belfast. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Ex-BBC broadcaster lived a life full of 'colour, character and achievement'

A mourner holds the order of service for the the funeral mass of former BBC Northern Ireland political editor and director of communications at Stormont, Stephen Grimason, at Drumbeg Parish Church in Dunmurry

Ex-BBC broadcaster Stephen Grimason lived life full of colour, funeral told

Ex-BBC political editor Stephen Grimason has sadly passed away at the age of 67. Photo: BBC

Tributes paid to ex-BBC political editor Stephen Grimason who has passed away

Health Minister Robin Swann on BBC Sunday Politics

Robin Swann to step down as health minister ahead of Westminster election

L-R: Health Minister Robin Swann; UUP leader Doug Beattie and UUP MLA Mike Nesbitt speak to members of the media in the Great Hall of Parliament Buildings at Stormont. Photo: David Young/PA Wire

UUP accuses coalition partners of backtracking on health service pledge