SDLP to oppose DUP moves to oust McGuinness

The SDLP has said it will support Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness following the DUP's motion of no confidence in him.

DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson tabled the motion after Mr McGuinness admitted that he was the IRA's second-in-command in Derry on Bloody Sunday in 1972.

However, the SDLP has now joined forces with Sinn Fein to lodge a 'petition of concern', forcing a cross-community vote in the Assembly tomorrow.

In order for the motion of no confidence in Mr McGuinness to be passed, it would have to receive 60% support from the chamber and at least 40% support from both nationalist and unionist MLAs.

Therefore, the motion would fail if opposed by both Sinn Fein and the SDLP.

The SDLP also joined forces with Sinn Fein to force a cross-community vote last July, when the DUP also failed in an attempt to have Mr McGuinness expelled from the Executive along with his colleague, Health Minsiter Bairbre de Bruin.