Evidence to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry suggests a senior civil servant made the suggestion after other ministers expressed frustration.
Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie said some of the revelations coming out of the inquiry are ‘extraordinary and bizarre’
In a tranche of evidence documents published by the inquiry on its website on Wednesday evening, an email exchange between civil servants in March 2020, then head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Sir David Sterling noted Ms O’Neill’s frustration at “having little power or influence over the health service”.
“There would be more radical options but I presume that they aren’t palatable eg: asking Robin to take a different portfolio for the duration and putting a SF or DUP Minister in? Or causing d’Hondt to be run again,” he wrote in the email exchange. “The suggestion is that the then deputy first minister – Michelle O’Neill – wanted the two big parties, the DUP and Sinn Fein, to take control of the situation.
Inquiry hearings continued on Thursday with evidence from former interim head of the civil service Jenny Pyper, Dr Joanne McClean from the Public Health Agency, and Chris Stewart, the then head of civil contingencies at the Executive Office.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Beattie blasts inquiry revelation that official suggested Swann be ‘reshuffled’Evidence to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry suggests a senior civil servant made the suggestion after other ministers expressed frustration.
Read more »
Ex-SNP treasurer Colin Beattie seen leaving home after Peter Murrell chargedPeter Murrell was charged on Thursday evening in connection with embezzlement of funds.
Read more »
Health Minsiter Swann refuses to meet council over Daisy Hill'The case for change has been proved that the reconfiguration at Craigavon Area hospital is safe and provides a quality and sustainable service for all the people living in Newry and Mourne area.'
Read more »
Senior civil servant suggested ‘reshuffling’ Robin Swann from health ministryIt came as then deputy first minister Michelle O’Neill expressed frustration at the outset of the pandemic.
Read more »
Senior civil servant suggested ‘reshuffling’ Robin Swann from health ministryIt came as then deputy first minister Michelle O’Neill expressed frustration at the outset of the pandemic.
Read more »
Simon Harris brings new faces into Cabinet in reshuffleThe new premier reshuffled senior Fine Gael roles, with new ministers for enterprise and further education.
Read more »