TWO close allies of Alasdair McDonnell last night voiced their support for the under-pressure SDLP leader as he appeared determined to remain at the head of the party.
MLAs Fearghal McKinney and Sean Rodgers – both of who were co-opted to the assembly under Dr McDonnell's leadership – said they wanted the South Belfast MP and MLA to remain in charge.
The SDLP leader yesterday declined to speak to the Irish News about his future plans, but in a statement on Monday night he indicated that he has no intention of relinquishing the top job.
SDLP grandees Seamus Mallon and Brid Rodgers have both called on Dr McDonnell to consider his position after a poor showing at the polls last week. Although the party held its three Westminster seats, its share of the vote fell by 2.6 per cent – the worst performance of the five main parties.
After his re-election in South Belfast, the former GP said he would stand down from the assembly, ahead of new rules outlawing double-jobbing coming into force next year. Dr McDonnell has so far failed to say when he will leave the assembly.
There is a groundswell of opinion within the SDLP that believes the party leader should be based at Stormont. When Foyle MP Mark Durkan stepped down from the leader's role in 2009, he said the party could not be led from Westminster.
But Dr McDonnell appears determined to remain as both leader and an MP – and last night his stance was supported by South Belfast MLA Fearghal McKinney and his South Down counterpart Sean Rodgers.
Mr McKinney told the Irish News: "I not only support Alasdair but his change programme for the SDLP, which is working."
The former UTV journalist, who replaced Conall McDevitt at Stormont in 2013, said any change to the party's leadership would not be decided in the media.
Mr Rodgers said he supported Dr McDonnell's efforts to "reshape" the SDLP.
"I believe he has the support across the country," he said.
Fellow South Down MLA Karen McKevitt also voiced support for the party leader.
However, SDLP veteran John Dallat, who earlier this week called on the leader to step down, said Dr McDonnell should resign his assembly seat "immediately".
"The leadership may take some time to resolve but there is no excuse for him not giving up the assembly seat," the East Derry MLA said.
"The party voted unanimously in 2010 that dual mandates must end and Alasdair needs to abide by that and let some new faces in."
The Irish News reported yesterday how SDLP founding member and former deputy first minister Seamus Mallon said Dr McDonnell should resign "as soon as possible".
The ex-Newry and Armagh MP's sentiments were echoed by former Stormont agriculture minister Brid Rodgers.
Mrs Rodgers said the SDLP needed a "changing of the guard" and a "leader in the assembly".
