THE SDLP has confirmed it will run candidates in every Northern Ireland constituency for the Westminster election following speculation that it might not contest some seats.
The north's main political parties are set to announce their final line-up of candidates early next week ahead of the deadline for nominations on Thursday.
It appeared unclear in recent days whether the SDLP would run candidates in constituencies such as North Belfast and Fermanagh-South Tyrone.
Some weeks ago the party had engaged in discussions about a possible 'anti-Brexit pact' for target seats in the June 8 poll, but no agreement was reached.
Its proposal for non-aligned, pro-Europe candidates for North Belfast, East Derry and Fermanagh-South Tyrone was also rejected by Sinn Féin.
But after Sinn Féin's surprise announcement of solicitor John Finucane as its North Belfast candidate, the SDLP when asked did not issue a statement saying it would contest the seat.
But yesterday a party spokesman confirmed: "We are running in all 18 constituencies. We are engaging in a selection process at the minute and we hope to have that completed very shortly."
Only the party's three MPs seeking re-election – Mark Durkan in Foyle, Margaret Ritchie in South Down and Alasdair McDonnell in South Belfast – have so far been formally confirmed as candidates.
However, others such as Daniel McCrossan in West Tyrone have confirmed their candidacy. Some are expected to be announced over the weekend and the remainder next week.
Sinn Féin has so far announced 15 of its candidates and is expected to announce the remainder next week.
The party's ard chomhairle is holding a meeting in Newry this morning and will discuss Brexit and the upcoming election.
The DUP and UUP have delayed naming some of their candidates – leaving open the possibility of a further unionist pact.
Earlier this week the DUP announced 11 candidates while the Ulster Unionists confirmed 12, but both parties did not name candidates for South Belfast or Newry and Armagh.
The DUP has already said it will not stand in UUP-held Fermanagh-South Tyrone, while the UUP's list had left absent the DUP-held East Belfast.
The Ulster Unionists have also unilaterally stood aside in North Belfast, West Belfast and Foyle.
The DUP will launch its general election campaign on Monday morning in Belfast at an event addressed by party leader Arlene Foster and deputy leader Nigel Dodds.
The UUP would only say "any further announcements will come before the May 11 deadline".
Alliance will be contesting all 18 constituencies, with the list of candidates to be formally announced in the coming days.
The Green Party is set to run seven candidates including assembly members Clare Bailey in South Belfast and Steven Agnew in North Down.
