A DESELECTED SDLP MLA is to contest the forthcoming assembly election as an independent candidate.
Gerry Mullan (62) confirmed he would be resigning from the SDLP after he was replaced as the party’s candidate in East Derry by former assembly member John Dallat.
The former mayor of Limavady, who will stand in East Derry, also claimed some other elected party members were on the verge of resigning from the SDLP over the issue.
Mr Dallat (69) was selected after retiring from front line politics at last year’s assembly elections. He said he had decided to return to politics after becoming increasingly disillusioned by a string of recent political scandals.
However in an increasingly bitter fight, Mr Mullan claimed Mr Dallat’s decision to take part in the SDLP selection process was down to a personal "feud" between the two men.
The claim has been rejected by Mr Dallat.
“I have been 40 years in politics and I have never let it be personal and I won’t let it be personal now,” he said.
Mr Mullan however said he would not be deterred by his de-selection.
“I have been humbled and overwhelmed by the support of people who are not just saying they will vote for me, but they will canvass for me and help pay for the campaign."
Meanwhile, former Ballymena Sinn Féin councillor Monica Digney is to stand as an independent candidate in the North Antrim constituency.
Ms Digney, who was among several Sinn Féin members who resigned from the party over its treatment of former MLA Daithí McKay, told the Ballymena Guardian she wants to "work for everyone in the community, irrespective of their political viewpoint".
