Hume announces retirement from politics

Former SDLP leader John Hume has announced at a press conference in Belfast that he is to stand down as an MEP at the June elections.

He also revealed he would not be standing again as a Westminster MP at the next General Election.

He said he was doing so on medical advice.

The 67-year-old has been an MEP since 1979 and is believed to have great affection for the job.

However, his health has deteriorated over the past few years and his family apparently wanted him to scale down his workload.

Martin Morgan, the Lord Mayor of Belfast, is the favourite to replace Mr Hume as the SDLP candidate for the European election in June.

Announcing his decision at a packed news conference in a Belfast hotel Mr Hume said: "I am making what for myself is a very regrettable announcement today. I will not be standing again for the European Parliament.

“I regret this very much since it is a position that I have very much valued. I have been very honoured to represent the people of Northern Ireland in Europe and I will obviously continue to do so as well as I can until June.

“In retiring from my European work I am doing so on medical advice, due to the large workload and amount of travel that is involved.”

Clearly emotional about his decision Mr Hume expressed his deep appreciation and gratitude to the people of Northern Ireland and to the members of the SDLP who had given him their support over the last 25 years.

He was given a standing ovation by party members who packed into the news conference.

Asked what he would miss most he said: “Being there and working there,” adding: “Europe is the best example in the history of the world of conflict resolution.”

The new SDLP candidate will face a huge challenge to retain one of Northern Ireland’s three seats in Europe from Sinn Féin.

Sinn Féin moved ahead of the SDLP to capture the majority of nationalist votes at last November’s Assembly elections.

But Mr Hume said he had no doubt that the people of Northern Ireland would stand solidly behind the SDLP.

Mr Hume said Sinn Féin was anti-Europe.

“If they are against how could a member of Sinn Fein elected to the European Parliament have any influence at any level.”

Mr Hume’s announcements signal the end of a political career which started with the civil rights movement back in the late 1960s.

In 2000 Mr Hume left his seat in the Northern Ireland Assembly and a year later stood down as leader of the SDLP.