Robinson Should Step Aside, Says Sir Reg

First Minister Peter Robinson should include himself in the DUP Executive reshuffle, expected to be unveiled within the next 24 hours - that's according to UUP Leader Sir Reg Empey.

Employment Minister Sir Reg said a shake-up of the Democratic Unionist's front-line team was a "panic driven-reaction" to the fall in its vote at the recent European elections.

Sir Reg (pictured here) suggested the DUP's ministerial changes would be a "punishment dumping" exercise.

"This is Peter Robinson striking out at everyone else in the hope that it will distract attention from himself," he said.

Sir Reg claimed Mr Robinson's readiness to "dump" minister showed he "didn't think much of the government they were providing in the first place".

"This reshuffle will be incomplete if it avoids the very person most in need of reshuffling - Peter Robinson himself," said Sir Reg.

It is believed Mr Robinson has asked those within the party to choose been Stormont or Westminster, in a bid to end so-called "double-jobbing".

This could see many of the party's high-profile MPs stepping down from the Assembly, and the Executive table, in order to continue parliamentary work.

It has been mooted DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds will leave the Department of Finance in order to pursue his work in the Commons.

Environment Minister Sammy Wilson, Culture Minister Gregory Campbell, Junior Minister Jeffrey Donaldson, Committee Chairs Iris Robinson and Willy McCrea - who are all MPs - are said to be considering their positions.

(PR/JM)