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10/03/2010
Ex-UTV Man Gets SDLP Nod
Former TV anchorman Fearghal McKinney was today confirmed as the SDLP's Westminster election candidate for Fermanagh and South Tyrone.
Mr McKinney, once one of UTV's most recognisable faces, had remained aloof over mounting media speculation regarding his candidacy in recent week.
The journalist is poised to stand for the nationalist party against incumbent Sinn Fein MP Michelle Gildernew at the forthcoming General Election.
Mr McKinney, 47, formally announced his intentions to contest the seat today.
He held a press conference alongside party leader Margaret Ritchie in Belfast, stating: "This is about challenging the two big power blocks. There has to be a middle ground."
Mr McKinney's media career in Northern Ireland has spanned more than 25 years, and party officials hope his journalistic experience will bolster the election campaign.
Tommy Gallagher, an SDLP Assemblyman for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, declined to put his hat in the ring for the Westminster candidacy, clearing the way for Mr McKinney's nomination.
Mr McKinney left his high profile job at UTV last year to set up an independent digital news company.
His former UTV colleague Mike Nesbitt has been selected to stand as the joint Tory/Ulster Unionist candidate in Strangford.
Sinn Fein polled 11,000 votes ahead of the SDLP in Fermanagh and South Tyrone at the last General Election.
(PR/BMcC)
Mr McKinney, once one of UTV's most recognisable faces, had remained aloof over mounting media speculation regarding his candidacy in recent week.
The journalist is poised to stand for the nationalist party against incumbent Sinn Fein MP Michelle Gildernew at the forthcoming General Election.
Mr McKinney, 47, formally announced his intentions to contest the seat today.
He held a press conference alongside party leader Margaret Ritchie in Belfast, stating: "This is about challenging the two big power blocks. There has to be a middle ground."
Mr McKinney's media career in Northern Ireland has spanned more than 25 years, and party officials hope his journalistic experience will bolster the election campaign.
Tommy Gallagher, an SDLP Assemblyman for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, declined to put his hat in the ring for the Westminster candidacy, clearing the way for Mr McKinney's nomination.
Mr McKinney left his high profile job at UTV last year to set up an independent digital news company.
His former UTV colleague Mike Nesbitt has been selected to stand as the joint Tory/Ulster Unionist candidate in Strangford.
Sinn Fein polled 11,000 votes ahead of the SDLP in Fermanagh and South Tyrone at the last General Election.
(PR/BMcC)
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