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UUP man 'turned down health role' UUP man 'turned down health role'
(about 15 hours later)
Ulster Unionist assembly member Alan McFarland turned down a chance to be health minister after a row with his party leader, it has emerged.Ulster Unionist assembly member Alan McFarland turned down a chance to be health minister after a row with his party leader, it has emerged.
Party sources told the BBC the North Down assembly member clashed with Sir Reg Empey.Party sources told the BBC the North Down assembly member clashed with Sir Reg Empey.
He had insisted the party leader should focus on rebuilding the party rather than taking a ministerial job himself.He had insisted the party leader should focus on rebuilding the party rather than taking a ministerial job himself.
According to UUP sources, Mr McFarland was offered the health job before Michael McGimpsey was appointed.According to UUP sources, Mr McFarland was offered the health job before Michael McGimpsey was appointed.
BBC Northern Ireland political correspondent Martina Purdy said that initially Sir Reg was considering taking the health post himself, while appointing his deputy Danny Kennedy as Minister of Employment and Learing. BBC Northern Ireland political correspondent Martina Purdy said that initially Sir Reg was considering taking the health post himself, while appointing his deputy Danny Kennedy as Minister of Employment and Learning.
"But Sir Reg had a change of heart after being advised by Mr McFarland that the challenging health job would leave the leader no time to focus on rebuilding the party," she said."But Sir Reg had a change of heart after being advised by Mr McFarland that the challenging health job would leave the leader no time to focus on rebuilding the party," she said.
Sir Reg Empey took the employment and learning jobSir Reg Empey took the employment and learning job
"Consequently, the BBC has learned that on Good Friday the leader and Alan McFarland discussed other options."Consequently, the BBC has learned that on Good Friday the leader and Alan McFarland discussed other options.
"These included Mr McFarland becoming health minister while Sir Reg took up the post of employment and learning."These included Mr McFarland becoming health minister while Sir Reg took up the post of employment and learning.
"However Mr McFarland, after further consideration, stuck to the view that the leader should put the party first and remain out of government - contending the leader was the only one with the authority to sort out the problems facing the Ulster Unionists."However Mr McFarland, after further consideration, stuck to the view that the leader should put the party first and remain out of government - contending the leader was the only one with the authority to sort out the problems facing the Ulster Unionists.
"The disagreement resumed after the Easter break and ended ultimately in Sir Reg taking employment and learning himself and offering the health job to Michael McGimpsey.""The disagreement resumed after the Easter break and ended ultimately in Sir Reg taking employment and learning himself and offering the health job to Michael McGimpsey."
Sir Reg, who was interviewed for the Hearts and Minds programme, declined to comment on internal party matters, insisting he had taken a balanced view.Sir Reg, who was interviewed for the Hearts and Minds programme, declined to comment on internal party matters, insisting he had taken a balanced view.