Durkan to take over SDLP helm

The North’s Finance Minister, Mark Durkan, is poised to take over as leader of the SDLP after his name was the only one on the list when nominations for the new leader closed today.

The 41-year-old from Derry will take over from John Hume at the party’s annual conference in November.

Six people have been nominated to take over from Seamus Mallon as deputy leader.

They are Brid Rodgers, Sean Farren, Alban Maginness, Denis Haughey, Patricia Lewsley and Margaret Ritchie.