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Sinn Féin to select fourth assembly candidate in Fermanagh and South Tyrone Sinn Féin to select fourth assembly candidate in Fermanagh and South Tyrone
(about 4 hours later)
Sinn Féin is to meet next week to select a fourth candidate in Fermanagh and South Tyrone for this year's assembly election.Sinn Féin is to meet next week to select a fourth candidate in Fermanagh and South Tyrone for this year's assembly election.
A team of three male candidates was selected last month which resulted in Michelle Gildernew being left off the ticket.A team of three male candidates was selected last month which resulted in Michelle Gildernew being left off the ticket.
The meeting next week gives the former MP and minister another opportunity to be put on Sinn Féin's list.The meeting next week gives the former MP and minister another opportunity to be put on Sinn Féin's list.
Ms Gildernew was replaced on the ticket by the current MLA, Phil Flanagan, who missed out on selection at a previous convention almost two months ago.Ms Gildernew was replaced on the ticket by the current MLA, Phil Flanagan, who missed out on selection at a previous convention almost two months ago.
In December, Ms Gildernew was selected to run alongside sitting MLA Sean Lynch and local councillor John Feely.In December, Ms Gildernew was selected to run alongside sitting MLA Sean Lynch and local councillor John Feely.
However, Sinn Fein's ruling council (Ard Comhairle) ordered a revote.However, Sinn Fein's ruling council (Ard Comhairle) ordered a revote.
The party did not specify why, but it has been reported that concerns had been raised about procedural errors.The party did not specify why, but it has been reported that concerns had been raised about procedural errors.
A new convention at the end of January in Enniskillen replaced Ms Gildernew with Mr Flanagan, who will now stand alongside Mr Lynch and Mr Feely.A new convention at the end of January in Enniskillen replaced Ms Gildernew with Mr Flanagan, who will now stand alongside Mr Lynch and Mr Feely.
In December, the outgoing MLA Bronwyn McGahan announced she would not be seeking re-election.In December, the outgoing MLA Bronwyn McGahan announced she would not be seeking re-election.
However, Ms McGahan did put her name forward for the latest convention but was not successful.However, Ms McGahan did put her name forward for the latest convention but was not successful.
Analysis: BBC NI political correspondent Gareth Gordon
If at first you don't succeed try, try again.
Sinn Féin, of all parties, do not normally get bound up in selection dilemmas.
Looks like someone forgot to tell its members in Fermanagh and South Tyrone.
First they met in December and ditched the sitting MLA Phil Flanagan in favour of former MP and Stormont minister Michelle Gildernew, MLA Sean Lynch and Fermanagh councillor John Feely.
So far, so unsurprising.
However, after concerns were reportedly raised over "procedural errors" the party decided to re-run the whole selection process.
This time the sitting MLA, Bronwyn McGahan, put her name forward as well after announcing that she was stepping down and not standing in the original contest.
It made no difference - she wasn't selected anyway.
But the real story, this time, was that neither was Michelle Gildernew.
This was as much a shock to the party hierarchy as to Gildernew - never mind those of us who watch and pretend to understand these things.
Back in, however, was Phil Flanagan along with Sean Lynch and Councillor Feely.
So, not only was there not a woman on the ticket - which goes against Sinn Féin policy - but all three candidates came from Fermanagh, which seemed to show a somewhat reckless disregard for the South Tyrone part of the constituency.
Even before the meeting, there had been a strong rumour that the party wanted to move the former MP to neighbouring Mid-Ulster to replace the departing Martin McGuinness.
She quickly scotched that rumour in a tweet, telling those who had been speculating: "Mid-Ulster has excellent candidates to replace @M_McGuinness_SF and my heart's in #FST."
She also said she had been "blown away" by all the messages of support, adding: "Don't be worrying about me, could be a blessing in disguise."
What she was not doing was hiding her disappointment and metaphorically drawing the curtains over an episode which was rapidly becoming a major embarrassment for Sinn Féin.
Senior figures hastily made it clear the matter was not over, which brings us neatly to 19 February, when a third selection convention will be held.
Messily, four candidates will now be selected, which should help create a space for the party's best known figure in the constituency.
At least that is the obvious conclusion, but it is probably unwise to count too many chickens just yet.
Either way, the damage has probably already been done. Sinn Féin divisions in Fermanagh South Tyrone have already been exposed and one of the party's most recognisable names has been undermined.
It is not the Sinn Féin way and many will continue to ask why.