Durkan poised to run for SDLP leadership race

Stormont Finance Minister Mark Durkan was today poised to announce his candidacy for the leadership of the SDLP, according to party sources.

Sources said the 41-year-old Foyle Assemblyman was expected to run for the post vacated on Monday by Nobel Peace Prize laureate John Hume.

Mr Durkan, a close confidante of Mr Hume, is the favourite to succeed Mr Hume after Acting Deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon ruled himself out of the contest and stepped down as deputy leader.

SDLP sources believe Mr Durkan could go unchallenged for the leadership at the party’s annual conference on November 9.

‘‘People aren’t ruling out the possibility of the challenge but he is regarded as the runaway favourite,’’ a source said.

‘‘But we can expect an announcement by the middle of this afternoon.’’

The race to replace Mr Mallon as SDLP deputy leader has already begun with former Belfast Lord Mayor Alban Maginness declaring his candidacy last night.

Agriculture Minister Brid Rodgers, Employment Minister Sean Farren, South Down MP Eddie McGrady and Assembly members Joe Byrne, Patricia Lewsley and Eamon O’Neill are being tipped as possible candidates.

Mrs Rodgers and Mr McGrady were also not being ruled out running against Mr Durkan.

Party sources said SDLP chairman Alex Attwood has so far ruled himself out of the contests.