AN SDLP council candidate has quit the party on the eve of today's elections in a row over material found on an iPad owned by Derry City Council. Sitting councillor Jimmy Carr announced his decision after the party withdrew its support for his candidature on Tuesday evening. He will now contest the election as an independent, although his name will still appear as an SDLP candidate on ballot papers.
Mr Carr has denied claims that he was responsible for "questionable" information on an iPad issued to councillors.
The tablet computer is not understood to have been Mr Carr's but messages on it were alleged to involve him.
Derry City Council said it was aware of situation and was not investigating any elected members, but police confirmed that an iPad had been handed over to them.
A spokesman said officers were considering examining the device to see if a criminal offence had been committed.
In a new twist last night, police confirmed they have also been given a second iPad and the spokesman said both were now being examined. Mr Carr (26) is understood to believe he has been a victim of hackers.
Announcing his decision to quit the party, the son of fellow SDLP councillor and candidate Sean Carr, right, said he was "disgusted" at its actions. "I am absolutely devastated - not just for me, I am devastated for my whole family because of the work we have put in for the SDLP over the last 15, 20, 40 years, going back to when my father was young. "I think it's an absolute disgrace to say the least. My father was involved in campaigns for John Hume when he was a child."
The SDLP in Derry confirmed it was no longer urging its candidates in the Ballyarnett ward to campaign for Mr Carr.
A spokeswoman said: "These three outstanding candidates have to be able to fight the remaining campaign on the basis of the strong policy platform and sound representation which they and the SDLP offer. "This decision is made without prejudice to any investigations into the matters in which Jimmy Carr denies involvement or any other determinations which would not fall to this election directorate."
* 'DISGUSTED: Jimmy Carr is to contest the council election as an independent after leaving the SDLP amid concerns over material found on an iPad owned by Derry City Council