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Alasdair McDonnell likely to face leadership challenge Alasdair McDonnell likely to face leadership challenge
(35 minutes later)
The Social Democratic and Labour Party's Alasdair McDonnell looks likely to face a challenge to his leadership.The Social Democratic and Labour Party's Alasdair McDonnell looks likely to face a challenge to his leadership.
The BBC understands that at least five branches of the party have nominated Foyle MLA Colum Eastwood to stand against him at the party conference in November. The BBC understands at least five branches of the party have nominated Colum Eastwood to stand against him at the party conference in November.
Sources said Mr Eastwood, 32, will spend the weekend deciding what to do but supporters expect him to run for the leadership.Sources said Mr Eastwood, 32, will spend the weekend deciding what to do but supporters expect him to run for the leadership.
Mr Eastwood is the SDLP's youngest MLA and a former Mayor of Derry.Mr Eastwood is the SDLP's youngest MLA and a former Mayor of Derry.
In 2012, he faced controversy after carrying the coffin of a friend who was a former member of the Official IRA and the INLA. In 2012, the Foyle MLA faced controversy after carrying the coffin of a friend who was a former member of the Official IRA and the INLA.
Dr McDonnell, 65, was elected SDLP leader in November 2011.Dr McDonnell, 65, was elected SDLP leader in November 2011.
On Thursday, Mr McDonnell accused the Democratic Unionist Party of not wanting to work with Catholics and said Sinn Féin "can't tell the truth" about the IRA.On Thursday, Mr McDonnell accused the Democratic Unionist Party of not wanting to work with Catholics and said Sinn Féin "can't tell the truth" about the IRA.
He defended his comments in an interview with the BBC on Friday.He defended his comments in an interview with the BBC on Friday.
He also said he did not expect to be challenged.He also said he did not expect to be challenged.
"I don't expect to face a challenge, but if there's a challenge, I'll face it," he said."I don't expect to face a challenge, but if there's a challenge, I'll face it," he said.
"I have a very robust programme flowing at the moment, of renewal in the party and it's working and people are up for it and we're bringing in a lot of new members and a lot of new people."I have a very robust programme flowing at the moment, of renewal in the party and it's working and people are up for it and we're bringing in a lot of new members and a lot of new people.
"We've a whole spate of new people proposing to go forward for the assembly. We brought in a fantastic spate of people for the council elections last year so I will stand on my record and it's democracy if somebody wants to come forward."We've a whole spate of new people proposing to go forward for the assembly. We brought in a fantastic spate of people for the council elections last year so I will stand on my record and it's democracy if somebody wants to come forward.
"I will win, yes. I will stand on my record. I have a job to complete and I will complete it.""I will win, yes. I will stand on my record. I have a job to complete and I will complete it."
Mr McDonnell has been the South Belfast MP since May 2005 and an MLA since 1998.Mr McDonnell has been the South Belfast MP since May 2005 and an MLA since 1998.