Ten vie for SDLP Europe nomination

Ten members of the SDLP tonight put their names in the hat for the party’s nomination for this June’s European Parliament election.

Among those seeking to replace John Hume as the party’s candidate were Belfast’s first ever nationalist Lord Mayor Alban Maginness, the current Lord Mayor Martin Morgan and Policing Board member Joe Byrne.

Former Stormont Finance Minister Sean Farren also handed in nomination papers.

The field also includes Assembly members Dr Alasdair McDonnell and Patricia Lewsley.

Three candidates who lost Assembly seats in last November’s Stormont elections - former junior minister Denis Haughey, Danny O’Connor and Donovan McClelland - also announced their intention to seek the party nomination.

Newry businessman Gerard O’Hare was a surprise nominee.

SDLP members are due to select their candidate to replace the former leader John Hume on March 6 at a convention in Cookstown.

A party spokesman said that while the field at this stage was large, it was “unlikely” that all 10 candidates would remain by the time the convention was held.

The SDLP is holding its annual conference in Belfast tomorrow.

Sinn Féin’s Bairbre de Brun is hoping to take a seat for her party for the first time in June.

Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson is due to defend his seat in the three-seater Northern Ireland constituency.

Democratic Unionist leader the Reverend Ian Paisley last month announced his decision not to contest the election.

Four candidates are vying for the DUP’s nomination – former Stormont Social Development Minister Maurice Morrow, former MP the Reverend William McCrea, Assembly member Paul Berry and barrister Jim Allister.