Dodds loses out in North ministerial shuffle

The Democratic Unionist Party’s (DUP) deputy leader Nigel Dodds is to lose his job in the North's government today as part of a major ministerial reshuffle.

The DUP leader Peter Robinson had promised a shake-up for some time, but the changes announced today come after his party suffered criticism in the European election campaign over ’double jobbing’ politicians.

Deputy leader and North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds leaves the post of Finance Minister, with Derry MP Gregory Campbell ceasing his job as Culture Minister and Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson stepping-down as junior minister.

East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson swaps the environment brief for the job of Finance Minister, while north Belfast Assembly member Nelson McCausland takes on the sensitive Culture ministry.

Fermanagh Assembly member Arlene Foster remains as Enterprise Minister, while former Environment Minister Edwin Poots rejoins the government to reclaim the post, while East Belfast representative Robin Newtown becomes a junior minister.