Party rules out Ruane reshuffle

John O'Dowd said Sinn Fein would not reshuffle its frontbench team

Sinn Féin is not planning to change its Stormont ministerial team, a senior party member has said.

A backbench reshuffle earlier this week saw John O'Dowd become education spokesman with Paul Butler moving across to enterprise.

The DUP's Mervyn Storey claimed it was a "vote of no confidence" in Mr Butler and Education Minister Caitríona Ruane. However, Mr O'Dowd said plans for what will replace academic selection would not change, no matter who is minister.

"Caitríona Ruane will remain our minister of education, she will be carrying through these proposals," he said.

"There is no plan to reshuffle our front bench, whether it be Caitríona or anybody else.

"It wouldn't matter who our education minister is, the proposals that Caitríona is bringing forward will remain the same."