Minutes of an Executive meeting from June of that year state further action would be considered “as appropriate” if the DUP went ahead with a threat to rotate its ministers. The minutes are within files which have been declassified at the Public Record Office in Belfast. Devolved powersharing had been restored to Northern Ireland in May 2000 when Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble had received the backing of his party to go back into the Assembly, despite there having been no decommissioning of IRA arms at that point. Then DUP deputy leader Mr Robinson and Mr Dodds took up the offices as ministers for regional development and social development, but refused to attend Executive meetings due to the presence of Sinn Fein ministers. The party also said it would rotate its ministerial posts to prevent other parties from taking them. A minute of an Executive meeting on June 8 said Mr Robinson and Mr Dodds had refused a request from First Minister Mr Trimble and deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon to meet with them “to discuss recent public comments by the DUP concerning their positions as ministers”. The minute records that the Executive endorsed a proposal from the First and deputy First Ministers to write again to the two DUP ministers setting out sanctions against them. It says: “The First Minister and and Deputy First Minister would assume responsibility for representing the Executive Committee on transport matters at the British-Irish Council in place of the Minister for Regional Development. “The Minister for Social Development and the Minister for Regional Development would not be nominated to attend meetings of the Joint Ministerial Committee. “Pending the receipt of satisfactory assurances from DUP Ministers regarding the confidentiality and integrity of Executive Committee business, the Minister for Social Development and Minister for Regional Development would not receive Executive Committee papers as of right. “The First Minister and Deputy First Minister would seek briefing, as appropriate, from officials in the Department for Regional Development and Department for Social Development.” The minute continues: “If the DUP carried out their threat to change the holders of the two Ministerial offices on a frequent basis, the Executive Committee would consider other action as appropriate.” Mr Robinson and Mr Dodds resigned as ministers on June 27 and were replaced by party colleagues Gregory Campbell and Maurice Morrow. A minute from an Executive meeting that day says: “The Executive Committee noted that the Minister for Social Development and Minister for Regional Development would be resigning their posts that afternoon, and expressed concern at the proposed rotation of the ministries held by their Party Members.”
Reform UK announced that two North Ayrshire Councillors, Matthew McLean for Irvine South and Stewart Ferguson for Ardrossan, have officially joined their party. In a press release, Nigel Farage ’s party said: “Both councillors are now at the forefront of delivering Reform UK's mission to restore integrity and results-driven governance to Scottish politics.” This comes after the defection of two Scottish Tory councillors last month following Farage’s letter to Tory county councillors up for re-election next year, in which he urged them to jump ship. Ferguson, the new party representative, commented: “Reform UK remains steadfast in its commitment to building a party that truly listens to the people it serves. “As more individuals recognise the need for a fresh approach to Scottish politics, Reform UK continues to position itself as the alternative for those seeking genuine, effective leadership. I am looking forward to continuing to represent my constituents under Reform.” On Friday, the now Reform UK councillors handed letters to Scottish Tory leader Cameron Inglis to confirm they were leaving the party. Inglis told the Daily Record : “It is disappointing in my eyes as we are losing councillors and will be down to six councillors in the chamber. “I believe we are the only party putting out common sense policy on tax and on justice. I think Reform are more right-wing. We are the only ones concentrating on frontline services and we have proven that through the budget exercise. “Reform are more right wing and a party who don’t have policy in Scotland but are an English national party and they don’t represent Scottish values. Zia Yusuf, the Party Chairman, said amid the announcement of the defection: “We are thrilled to welcome Councillors Stewart Ferguson and Matthew McLean to Reform UK. Their dedication to their communities and unwavering commitment to public service embody the values we stand for. “This is a clear reminder that Reform UK is the party for those who believe politicians and governments must work for the Scottish people—not for their own interests. We welcome anyone who shares our vision for integrity, accountability, and meaningful change for Scotland to join us.”
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