NORTHERN IRELAND Economy Minister Conor Murphy is standing down from his role on medical grounds. 

First Minister and Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O’Neill said Deirdre Hargey will step into the role as Minister for Economy on an interim basis. 

“Conor has been advised by his doctor to rest and will undergo further medical tests,” O’Neill said in a statement this evening. 

“My colleagues and I all wish Conor a full and speedy recovery,” she said. 

“I am nominating Deirdre Hargey to step in as Economy Minister on an interim basis pending Conor’s return.”

Earlier this week, O’Neill released a statement to say that Murphy, an MLA for Newry and Armagh, would not be giving evidence to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry as scheduled today as he had received medical advice to rest.

The 60-year-old served as Finance Minister in Northern Ireland during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie has wished Murphy well, saying he hopes he “makes a speedy recovery”. 

SDLP MLA Matthew O’Toole has also offered his well wishes to Murphy. 

“Absolutely right to prioritise his health and hope to see him back at his desk and in the chamber when he’s ready,” he posted on X. 

Hargey, a Sinn Féin MLA for south Belfast, was the Minister for Communities from December 2020 to October 2022.

With reporting by Press Association