Jon Burrows and the UUP in a fix as Mike Nesbitt resigns

2026-08-19

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The UUP's Mike Nesbitt has resigned as health minister – with a stinging public resignation letter aimed at his UUP leader Jon BurrowsThe row is over retaining emergency general surgery at the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine. The Northern Trust had recommended its closure, despite widespread local opposition.Jon Burrows told a public meeting in Coleraine that he wouldn't support any closure – despite the health minister being a UUP man. Mike Nesbitt is understood to have asked his leader to pub...

The UUP's Mike Nesbitt has resigned as health minister – with a stinging public resignation letter aimed at his UUP leader Jon Burrows

The row is over retaining emergency general surgery at the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine. The Northern Trust had recommended its closure, despite widespread local opposition.

Jon Burrows told a public meeting in Coleraine that he wouldn't support any closure – despite the health minister being a UUP man.

Mike Nesbitt is understood to have asked his leader to publicly move away from that position, but Jon Burrows refused.

What's going to be the outcome of all of this for the UUP?

Ciarán Dunbar joined by the Belfast Telegraph's political editor, Suzanne Breen.

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