Former Ulster Unionist Arts Minister Michael McGimpsey is to make a shock return to devolved government next month, it emerged tonight.
The South Belfast Assembly member will take charge of the Department of Health when power sharing returns to Stormont on May 8th, party leader Sir Reg Empey announced tonight.
Sir Reg also confirmed that he would take the Employment and Learning portfolio in the new executive. The Ulster Unionist leader served as the Economy Minister in the last devolved government in Northern Ireland.
Mr McGimpsey was not regarded as a favourite for a minister's role this time. UUP deputy leader Danny Kennedy and chief negotiator Alan McFarland were regarded as the most likely contenders for a place at the Cabinet table.
