Party rules out Ruane reshuffle

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

Sinn F�in 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 Caitr�ona Ruane. However, Mr O'Dowd said plans for what will replace academic selection would not change, no matter who is minister.

"Caitr�ona 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 Caitr�ona or anybody else.

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

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