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SDLP leader Durkan 'to step down' SDLP leader Durkan 'to step down'
(14 minutes later)
The SDLP leader Mark Durkan has said he intends to stand aside as party leader after the next Westminster election, which is expected around May next year. SDLP leader Mark Durkan has said he intends to stand aside as party leader after the next Westminster election, which is expected around May next year.
Mr Durkan said he will defend his Foyle seat but does not believe he should continue to hold a dual mandate at the Stormont Assembly.Mr Durkan said he will defend his Foyle seat but does not believe he should continue to hold a dual mandate at the Stormont Assembly.
He made the comments on BBC Radio Ulster's Inside Politics programme.He made the comments on BBC Radio Ulster's Inside Politics programme.
Mr Durkan said he already indicated he did not want to continue as SDLP leader beyond his 50th birthday in June. Mr Durkan said he already indicated he did not want to continue as SDLP leader after his 50th birthday.
The 49-year-old replaced John Hume as leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party in 2001.The 49-year-old replaced John Hume as leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party in 2001.
He said: "My position is that if I am elected again to Westminster as MP for Foyle I will be stepping down from the Assembly.
"I've said that openly on the record because I don't believe that that you can sustain dual mandates any longer."
Mr Durkan added that he believed Northern Ireland would be significantly impacted by cuts in public expenditure after the next election, and this had influenced his decision.
"If there is a Tory government elected, the implications in terms of the welfare system and other matters are such that I think there is more work to done at Westminster now.
"I think in that instance I need to be a full time MP for Foyle."
He also said that he did not believe that the SDLP, as a nationalist party, could "long be led from Westminster" but said he would to continue to play a strong leadership role in the party.