McKinney Named New SDLP MLA

The SDLP has said Fearghal McKinney will replace Conall McDevitt as MLA for South Belfast.

Mr McKinney beat SDLP Councillor Claire Hanna at a party selection contest in Belfast on Thursday evening.

More than 250 delegates were present at the Wellington Park Hotel to hear speeches from both candidates. They also took questions from the delegates.

Following a vote and subsequent counting of the votes, Party Chair and MLA for West Tyrone Joe Byrne MLA revealed Mr McKinney was the successful candidate.

Speaking afterwards, Mr McKinney said: "It is an honour to have been selected by the delegates in south Belfast to represent them and the whole constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

"As I said this evening people are disillusioned with the stalemate at Stormont and deserve so much more. I bring SDLP values and a steadfast commitment to improve our political discourse and champion the hopes and ambitions of people across this region."

Party leader Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP MLA added: "I am delighted to have Fearghal join the team in south Belfast and in the Assembly. Over the past many years his commitment to the party has been impressive and I am confident that with the ability and dedication that Fearghal has displayed so far he will serve the people of south Belfast well into the future."

Mr McDevitt resigned earlier this month after it emerged he had failed to declare more than £6,000 earned from a public relations firm shortly after he became an MLA.

Mr McKinney and Ms Hanna were the only two candidates who contested the co-option to his vacated seat.

(JP/CD)