Mike Nesbitt to return as leader of the Ulster Unionist Party

Mike Nesbitt is to become the next leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) after party leader nominations closed on Friday.

He was the only candidate who declared an interest in taking the role.

The UUP found itself without a leader last week after Doug Beattie stepped down, citing "irreconcilable differences" with party officers.

Mr Nesbitt won a contest in 2012 to become leader, but quit in 2017 after disappointing assembly election results.

He will be the first person to have twice held the top job in the UUP.

He is currently the assembly member (MLA) for Strangford and in June he was appointed as Stormont's Health Minister, a role he is expected to retain if he is ratified as leader.

Speaking outside Parliament Buildings, Mr Nesbitt highlighted that he has added to his portfolio "subject to ratification" by the party executive on the 14th of September.

The new party leader will then have to balance the role with being health minister, about which he said there are very few tasks that he "can or indeed should" delegate to others for action.

However, as UUP leader, there are "many, many, many things" that a party leader can delegate to others, "and that's the way it will be," he said.

"I will be looking to senior colleagues to form a leadership team, and we will divide up all the responsibilities and all the actions accordingly."

He also expressed confidence that he has strong support from within the party.

Mr Nesbitt denied that the party is split but he accepts that "we have fed that narrative by washing our dirty linen in public—that's not a very attractive look for the electorate to have".

When asked about what he wants to see from the party moving forward, Mr Nesbitt said: "I want to continue on the progressive outreach that Doug started, but I know in a certain way Doug was following on from my lead from 2012 to 2017.

"I would like to offer people a unionist party that is a bit more relaxed that is a bit more confident that is outreaching and embracing a bit more inclusive."

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster's Evening Extra programme, the UUP's deputy leader Robbie Butler said: "Mike has widespread support both from elected colleagues and members of the party... there was absolutely no problem in him receiving that backing."

"It was important that someone with experience took the wheel at this time...it's going to require a steady hand."

"Mike perhaps feels like there's some unfinished business."

"He's certainly got the energy and the vision to help bring that electoral success that we need," he added.

The former broadcaster took over at the helm of the UUP in March 2012 when Tom Elliott stood down after just 18 months in the job.

Mr Nesbitt is well-known for his long and high-profile career as a television news presenter.

Born in 1957 in Belfast, he attended Campbell College and ran 400 metres hurdles for an Irish Schools athletics team.

He became a sports presenter at the BBC and he also anchored the flagship Good Morning Ulster radio programme.

At UTV, he presented its evening news programme for 10 years, and during that time co-presented with his wife Lynda Bryans.

In 2008, he was appointed a Victims' Commissioner, a role designed to promote the interests of victims of the Troubles.

However, he left the commission when he joined the Ulster Unionists in 2010.

He ran as a candidate for the Ulster Conservatives and Unionists - New Force in the 2010 Westminster elections, but was defeated by DUP candidate Jim Shannon.

Mr Nesbitt was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2011 as a representative for Strangford.

In a statement on Tuesday, Robbie Butler said that a "revised and refreshed leadership team of the UUP, led by Mike Nesbitt, is an exciting opportunity".

Rules for the nomination process set by officers said any person wishing to run for election needs at least 35 signatures from members across nine of the party's constituency associations.

The new leader is set to be ratified at an extraordinary general meeting of the party on 14 September.