SDLP’s Doherty to resign from Assembly

The SDLP’s Arthur Doherty is to resign as a member of the Northern Assembly to make way for his party colleague, Michael Doyle.

The 71-year-old Co Donegal-born MLA is due to vacate his position on September 1.

Mr Doherty is a former teacher and Catholic civil rights activist who served as mayor of Limavady in Co Derry in 1993.

He is the second SDLP member to make way for a party colleague in the Stormont Assembly since its inception following the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.

Former party leader John Hume resigned last year to make way for Annie Courtney.