A SECOND candidate has emerged in the contest to take Alasdair McDonnell's assembly seat after the SDLP leader announced he would quit Stormont.
The SDLP last night confirmed Belfast councillor Declan Boyle is also seeking to become MLA for South Belfast.
He is the second candidate to emerge after fellow city councillor Claire Hanna said she would also be standing for the vacant seat.
South Belfast MP Alasdair McDonnell last week said he would resign his assembly seat during the summer recess, ahead of double-jobbing being outlawed next year.
The 65-year-old former GP has served as both an MLA and MP since being elected to Westminster 10 years ago.
He was re-elected to the Commons last month but has faced calls to step down as leader from senior SDLP members including Seamus Mallon.
Claire Hanna, whose mother Carmel was a minister in the Stormont executive, has been tipped as favourite to take the South Belfast seat.
In 2013 she was defeated by former UTV journalist Fearghal McKinney in a bid to be co-opted to the assembly following the resignation of Conall McDevitt.
It is understood there have been tensions in the past between the Hanna family and Dr McDonnell.
A selection convention to decide who will be co-opted to the seat is set to take place next week.
