Spellar takes over at NI Office

A former British Opposition spokesman on the North has been appointed to take over from Minister Des Browne at the Northern Ireland Office.

John Spellar will replace the man who's overseen health, social development and political development during suspension of the Stormont Assembly.

Des Browne angered hospital campaigners in Omagh by locating acute hospital services for counties Fermanagh and Tyrone in Enniskillen.

His departure as part of Tony Blair's cabinet reshuffle is being criticised by Sinn Fein which says it disrupts several of the North's government departments and is another reason why direct rule must be done away with.