Northern Ireland

Michelle Gildernew to stand for Sinn Féin in Fermanagh-South Tyrone

Michelle Gildernew has been selected as Sinn Féin's candidate for Fermanagh-South Tyrone at next month's general election. File picture by Paul Faith, Press Association
Michelle Gildernew has been selected as Sinn Féin's candidate for Fermanagh-South Tyrone at next month's general election. File picture by Paul Faith, Press Association Michelle Gildernew has been selected as Sinn Féin's candidate for Fermanagh-South Tyrone at next month's general election. File picture by Paul Faith, Press Association

SINN Féin has selected Michelle Gildernew to stand again in Fermanagh-South Tyrone, bringing her into direct opposition with Ulster Unionist MP Tom Elliott for the second time in two years.

The constituency has been one of the closest-fought in the north and is likely to be a key battle in the snap June 8 general election.

In 2015, Mr Elliott defeated Ms Gildernew by less than 600 votes when the DUP did not stand. And in 2010 Ms Gildernew won the seat by just four votes against independent Rodney Connor.

DUP leader Arlene Foster has already said her party will not stand against Mr Elliott.

In South Belfast, Sinn Féin has selected Máirtín Ó Muilleoir to stand against sitting MP the SDLP's Alasdair McDonnell. The pair stood against each other in 2015 when Dr McDonnell held his seat against a challenge from former DUP minister Jonathan Bell.

Sinn Féin did not contest the seat in 2010.

Other candidates selected for the party in recent days include Chris Hazzard in South Down; Elisha McCallion in Foyle; Mickey Brady in Newry and Armagh; John O'Dowd in Upper Bann; Mairéad O'Donnell in East Belfast and Oliver McMullan in East Antrim.

The selections come after SDLP plans for an anti-Brexit electoral pact failed last week.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood had hoped that a deal could be agreed with Sinn Féin which would have seen non-aligned candidates contest three constituencies that voted Remain but were represented by pro-Brexit MPs.

However, Sinn Féin dismissed the proposal to run agreed candidates in North Belfast, East Derry and Fermanagh-South Tyrone.