Ulster Unionist member and former Arts minister Michael McGimpsey has been named as Northern Ireland health minister.

The south Belfast assembly member is set to take charge of the Department of Health when power-sharing returns to Stormont on 8 May.

UUP leader Sir Reg Empey confirmed Mr McGimpsey was chosen because he was the best man for the job.

He said Mr McGimpsey's experience meant he was not a surprise choice for the role.

"He is one of the few people who has experience of running a department, this is a colossal undertaking, so having somebody with experience doing that job doesn't strike me as being a shock," he said.

"At the end of the day, I've made my choices, we will have to see how it goes, and I've no doubt he's relishing the role and looking forward to see if we can improve things."

Sir Reg also announced he will be taking the Employment and Learning portfolio.

UUP deputy leader Danny Kennedy and chief negotiator Alan McFarland were thought to be the most likely candidates for the position.

Sinn Fein confirmed last week confirmed Conor Murphy, Michelle Gildernew and Caitriona Ruane would take charge of the departments of regional development, agriculture and education respectively while SDLP named Margaret Ritchie as their choice to head up the department for social development.

The DUP are the only party in the incoming executive who has still to name who its ministers will be.

(JM)