Ulster Unionist Assembly member Alan McFarland turned down the post of health minister in the Northern Executive because of a heated disagreement with party leader Sir Reg Empey, senior Ulster Unionist sources have confirmed.
The UUP will have two departments in the Northern executive when it is restored on May 8th. Initially Sir Reg offered Mr McFarland the post of health while deciding to take the department of employment and learning, which is considered less demanding.
Mr McFarland, however, strenuously argued that rather than running a department, Sir Reg should concentrate on attempting to revitalise the UUP which won just 18 seats in the March Assembly elections.
Sir Reg held to his position that he would take the department of employment and learning, which resulted in Mr McFarland, Assembly member for North Down, turning down the ministry, the sources explained. Instead the post went to South Belfast MLA Michael McGimpsey, a minister in the first Assembly.
Sir Reg contended that he could work to revive the fortunes of the UUP while acting as a minister, points he will repeat when he addresses the annual general meeting of the Ulster Unionist Council in Belfast tomorrow. "Reg will be setting out a rigorous programme for wholesale reform of the party at the meeting," explained a party source.
This is also the meeting where he must be formally reinstated as UUP leader. There was some speculation in recent weeks that Mr McFarland might challenge him for the leadership, but this cannot happen tomorrow as contenders for the post must be nominated two weeks in advance of the annual meeting.
Other senior figures such as North Down MP Lady Sylvia Hermon are perturbed at the state of the UUP. If fortunes do not improve a challenger for the leadership could emerge.
Meanwhile, senior sources confirmed that Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and British prime minister Tony Blair will be present at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, when devolution is formally einstated on Tuesday fortnight.
Arrangements are now at an advanced stage for Mr Ahern and Mr Blair to be present in Stormont when DUP leader, the Rev Ian Paisley, and Sinn Féin MP Martin McGuinness are installed respectively as first minister and deputy first minister, and when the Northern executive is appointed.
It is expected that Mr Ahern and Mr Blair will attend and speak at a reception at Parliament Buildings after d'Hondt is triggered and the executive is formed.
At a special event at Stormont yesterday Speaker Eileen Bell praised security staff who disarmed loyalist killer Michael Stone as he attempted to break into Parliament Buildings in October. Susan Porter and Peter Lachaundis received a special citation for their "exceptional courage" in dealing with Stone.
Meanwhile, Northern Secretary Peter Hain announced a competition to find a successor to Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan when she stands down after her seven-year tenure in office in November.