Danny Kennedy refuses to rule out joint resignation

Danny Kennedy has refused to rule out a joint resignation with Michael McGimpsey

NI Employment Minister Danny Kennedy has refused to rule out a joint resignation with Health Minister Michael McGimpsey when the final budget is put to a formal vote in the Assembly.

Mr Kennedy said the Ulster Unionist Party had important decisions to take before the vote.

It is expected on Wednesday.

Mr Kennedy and Mr McGimpsey voted against the budget at an Executive meeting on Thursday.

It is thought that if they voted the same way in the assembly chamber they could be in breach of the Stormont ministerial code.

Mr Kennedy said on Sunday that the UUP as a party would take a "collective decision" on whether its two ministers would resign.

"Yes we have highlighted our concerns about this budget particularly in relation to health," he added.

"We will continue to do that, but we will take our decisions in the overall context of things."

In response, NI Finance Minister Sammy Wilson said if the two UUP ministers did resign it would be a "cynical abnegation of their responsibilities".