DUP: Gordon Lyons replaces Paul Frew as NI economy minister

Mr Lyons is the assembly member (MLA) for East Antrim

Gordon Lyons has been appointed to replace Paul Frew as NI economy minister, Democratic Unionist Party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has announced.

Mr Frew had been appointed by Sir Jeffrey's predecessor Edwin Poots, who will remain as agriculture minister.

Sir Jeffrey said there would be a "fundamental reshuffle" in September.

Paul Givan remains as first minister, with Michelle McIlveen continuing as education minister.

Sir Jeffrey became DUP leader last month after Mr Poots resigned 21 days into the role following an internal party row about the timing of Mr Givan's appointment.

Mr Poots had made sweeping changes to many of the DUP's positions, both at ministerial level and on assembly committees.

It followed his victory over Sir Jeffrey in the DUP's first leadership contest in its 50-year history.

However, this came after the ousting of Arlene Foster which publicly exposed divisions in the party.

Edwin Poots was in charge of the previous reshuffle of the DUP's ministerial team

In a statement on Tuesday, Sir Jeffrey said he was making "limited" changes to ministers and post-holders "so as to minimise any impact personnel changes would have on the business of delivering for people across Northern Ireland".

"I am mindful that our executive team, in conjunction with ministers from other parties, has further significant work to do in the next short period," he added.

"I do however intend to conduct a more fundamental reshuffle of posts in September."

'Well-equipped'

Sir Jeffrey, who is the MP for Lagan Valley, has also indicated that at some stage he planned to return to the assembly and become first minister.

In an interview with UTV on Monday, he said he hoped to return to Stormont "later this year".

Mr Lyons, the assembly member (MLA) for East Antrim, has previously served as agriculture minister when he stood in for Edwin Poots on health grounds earlier this year.

He was also a junior minister in the executive office.

In a social media post he said he was "delighted" to be appointed.

Sir Jeffrey praised Mr Frew for "progressing a number of important issues" in the party over recent weeks, but said Mr Lyons was "well-equipped to take on the role" of economy minister.

"I know he will be focused on rebuilding and revitalising Northern Ireland's economy as we emerge from the Covid pandemic," he added.