18/09/2001

Séamus Mallon bows out of SDLP leadership

The Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Séamus Mallon has - much to the surprise of his supporters - ruled himself out of the SDLP leadership contest.

The announcement from the Newry and Armagh MP comes just one day after leader of the SDLP, John Hume, said that he was resigning his position in November later this year.

The SDLP veteran announced that he would not be running in the leadership battle nor would he be putting himself up for re-election in November as deputy leader of the party.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday 18 September, the 66-year-old deputy party leader said: “It is my considered view that the party should elect a new leadership team – both the leader and deputy leader.

“What I am trying to do is to make it easy for my party to make this decision, so that the focus will not be on speculation, but the focus will be on getting it right. Secondly I want to see new people in politics. I have always tried to encourage new people into politics.”

A new leader and deputy leader will now be elected at the party’s annual conference in November when Mr Hume and Mr Mallon will formally retire from their positions.

Although the party has seven weeks to choose a successor, nominations for the leading position must be tendered by this weekend. (AMcE)

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