// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
Mike Nesbitt resigns as health minister amid row with UUP leader
Mike Nesbitt's resignation comes amid a row with the UUP leader Jon Burrows
Mike Nesbitt has resigned as health minister amid a row with the UUP leader Jon Burrows.
The decision comes following a clash over withdrawing emergency general surgery services from Causeway Hospital.
Nesbitt served twice as leader of the party, first from 2012 until 2017 and again from 2024 until earlier this year when Burrows took over.
In a statement, Nesbitt said his time as health minster was "the greatest privilege of his political career".
A UUP spokesperson thanked him for his service and said he left a "significant legacy".
Nesbitt is the second high-profile resignation from the party within months, after another ex-leader Doug Beattie quit in May, lashing out at Burrows' leadership.
Jon Burrows had previously said he did not support EGS being removed from Causeway Hospital
Last week Burrows, who is a North Antrim MLA, told a town hall meeting that he did not support emergency general surgery being removed from Causeway Hospital.
The Northern Health Trust previously recommended that EGS should only be provided at one of its hospital sites.