Northern Ireland’s Culture Minister Edwin Poots has lost his cabinet seat in a major reshuffle by new First Minister Peter Robinson.
Mr Poots played a controversial role in blocking an Irish Language Act and was at the centre of the row over the proposed multi-sports stadium at the site of the Maze prison.
Fellow Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) member Gregory Campbell is to be his replacement, while party colleague Sammy Wilson is also to join the cabinet as Environment Minister.
DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds will move from the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment to become Finance Minister, with current Environment Minister Arlene Foster taking over his economy portfolio.
The changes have been forced by Mr Robinson’s move into the Office of First Minister in place of Ian Paisley who retired last week.
Mr Robinson unveiled his new ministerial team at Stormont’s Parliament Buildings.
“The DUP has played a very effective role within the Executive and each of our party’s ministers have delivered on key manifesto commitments,” he said.
“This swift delivery on key issues must be praised.”
Mr Robinson praised his former culture minister and predicted he may make a return to government.
“I particularly want to thank Edwin Poots for his work over the last year and I will be keen to see him return to ministerial office in the near future.
“He has a proven track record and will undoubtedly play an integral role within the party in the next period of time.”
Mr Poots said he wanted to spend more time with his family and added that talk of standing for the European elections next year could be a little premature because of that.
When asked about a return to the Executive in the future he said a new post had not been ruled out.
“There are guarantees. Things can happen in the interim period.”
He said he was fine about the move.
“At this moment in time my plan for the future is to be an active member of the Assembly and have a little more time with the family.”
The changes followed Mr Robinson’s successful nomination as First Minister in place of the Rev Ian Paisley, who retired last week.
PA