Northern Ireland’s Employment and Learning Minister Stephen Farry is widely tipped to replace David Ford as Justice Minister after the May election.

Mr Ford has confirmed rumours that he will not return as Justice Minister after the next Northern Ireland Assembly elections.

He told the Belfast Telegraph: “I think it is likely that after six years doing one of the most difficult jobs in the Executive, it would be inappropriate for me to put my name forward to remain as Justice Minister.”

Mr Ford has held the post since the devolution of justice in 2010.

It is the only position in the Northern Ireland Executive which is elected through a cross-community vote by MLAs, rather than allocated by the D’Hondt system or appointed by party leaders.

Mr Ford’s Alliance Party colleague, Mr Farry, has been named as a likely successor by a range of industry sources.

Mr Farry, an MLA for North Down, has served as Employment and Learning Minister since the 2011 election.