The BelTel

The UUP's Mike Nesbitt has resigned as health minister – with a stinging public resignation letter aimed at his UUP leader Jon Burrows
The row is over retaining emergency general surgery at the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine. The Northern Trust had recommended its closure, despite widespread local opposition.
Jon Burrows told a public meeting in Coleraine that he wouldn't support any closure – despite the health minister being a UUP man.
Mike Nesbitt is understood to have asked his leader to publicly move away from that position, but Jon Burrows refused.
What's going to be the outcome of all of this for the UUP?
Ciarán Dunbar joined by the Belfast Telegraph's political editor, Suzanne Breen.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After 25 years of what it termed ‘Armed Struggle’ and the ‘Long War’ , the Provisional IRA called a “complete cessation of military operations” on 31st August 1994 – 30 years ago.

By that stage, the organisation was responsible for the deaths of 1,700 people. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Journalists Brian Rowan and Allison Morris, Former Belfast Telegraph Editor Ed Curran and historian Fearghal Mac Bhloscaidh.

This episode was originally published in August 2024.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paddy Mackin and Eamon MacMahon's bodies were found on the morning of the 13th of July, 1983.

They both had been blasted with a shotgun as close range.

The murders of the 34 year olds were first blamed on INLA leaders Dominic and Mary McGlinchey.

But their families don’t believe that – they believe “other republicans” were involved.

They claim that an informer recruited by Captain Robert Nairac helped set up their loved ones. They say this man later fled Northern Ireland after Freddie Scappaticci tipped off MI5 that his identity had been compromised.

The story was broken by our political editor, Suzanne Breen.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UPDATE: Professor Jason Arday was found deceased in London on Friday afternoon. He was found at an address in Battersea and pronounced dead at the scene.

At 37, Jason Arday became the University of Cambridge’s youngest black professor.

However, he found himself at the center of a plagiarism accusations which cast a shadow over his career – and thrust him into the international limelight.

Parts of his CV were rubbished, and his most implausible claims about his personal life and achievements ridiculed.

Arday resigned from Cambridge last week saying he was under an "unrelenting level of public scrutiny and personal attack".

The controversy sparked intense debate. While allegations against Arday became a focal point for right-wing press and far-right groups online, many academics argued the case has been caught up in a wider culture war.

Ciaran Dunbar is joined by Kurtis Reid, to talk about Jason Arday – what he says, and what his detractors and defenders say.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann took over Belfast City Centre for over a week drawing huge crowds.

The all-Ireland traditional Irish music competition and festival has been near universally hailed as an enormous success.

It has been cited as having made a massive cultural, social, and economic impact on the city.

How much money was made? What impact will it have on the Fleadh, and can any lessons be learned?

Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph reporter, and fleadh veteran, Liam Tunney, and by Business Editor Margaret Canning.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.