UUP deputy leader Robbie Butler says Mike Nesbitt offers 'exiting opportunity'

Mike Nesbitt looks set to return as UUP party leader.

In a statement, deputy leader Robbie Butler backed the health minister saying he would lead a "revised and refreshed" leadership team offering "an exciting opportunity".

Mike Nesbitt is the sole candidate for the Ulster Unionist Party leadership, UTV understands.

Sources within the party said the MLA had "strong support" to return to the jobs he held for fives years up to 2017.

He will replace Doug Beattie, who quit citing “irreconcilable differences” with party officers.

Mr Nesbitt is also expected to keep on his position as Minister for Health in the Stormont Executive.

Deputy party leader Robbie Butler, East Antrim MLA John Stewart and the party’s new MP Robin Swann were all linked with standing as leader.

Mr Nesbitt stepped down as leader following the party's poor results in the 2017 Assembly election which saw it drop from 16 to 10 seats.

On taking up the health ministry earlier this year he described it as an "honour". The Strangford representative was previously deputy chair of the health committee but stepped down after admitting to breaching Covid rules.

An extraordinary meeting is expected to be held on 14 September to ratify the new leader.

In a statement, deputy leader Robbie Butler said: "The future of the Ulster Unionist Party, and indeed wider political unionism in Northern Ireland, must always be foremost when considering change and the role that we all will play.

"A revised and refreshed leadership team of the UUP, led by Mike Nesbitt, is an exciting opportunity to not only embed the vision of a modern, ambitious and vibrant strand of unionism for the people of Northern Ireland but also to strategically modernise party structures with and for our membership.

"Working together we can revitalise both party and politics, but of greater importance is to ensure that pro-Union, persuadable and the silent non-voters have a home that reflects and embodies their vision for a prosperous future for all."Catch up with the latest UTV Live on ITVX

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