This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-24071332
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Fearghal McKinney chosen as MLA to replace Conall McDevitt | Fearghal McKinney chosen as MLA to replace Conall McDevitt |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| The SDLP has chosen Fearghal McKinney to replace Conall McDevitt as MLA for South Belfast. | The SDLP has chosen Fearghal McKinney to replace Conall McDevitt as MLA for South Belfast. |
| Mr McKinney beat South Belfast SDLP councillor Claire Hanna by 113 votes to 69 at a party selection contest in the city on Thursday evening, | Mr McKinney beat South Belfast SDLP councillor Claire Hanna by 113 votes to 69 at a party selection contest in the city on Thursday evening, |
| The new MLA is a former news reporter with Ulster Television (UTV). | The new MLA is a former news reporter with Ulster Television (UTV). |
| Mr McDevitt resigned after it emerged he had failed to declare more than £6,000 earned from a public relations firm shortly after he became an MLA. | Mr McDevitt resigned after it emerged he had failed to declare more than £6,000 earned from a public relations firm shortly after he became an MLA. |
| Mr McKinney and Ms Hanna were the only two candidates who contested the co-option to his vacated seat. | |
| More than 250 party members attended the selection meeting in a south Belfast hotel, during which both candidates made speeches and took questions. | |
| Speaking after the vote, Mr McKinney said: "It is an honour to have been selected by the delegates in South Belfast to represent them and the whole constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly. | |
| "As I said this evening people are disillusioned with the stalemate at Stormont and deserve so much more. | |
| "I bring SDLP values and a steadfast commitment to improve our political discourse and champion the hopes and ambitions of people across this region," Mr McKinney added. | |
| The 51-year-old was born in Londonderry and grew up in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh. | |
| He worked as a newspaper reporter in Enniskillen before moving to Belfast to work in radio and TV. | |
| Writing on her Twitter account, Ms Hanna congratulated her successful opponent and thanked her own supporters. | |
| She wrote: "Mad six days, threw my hat in the ring for Conall's co-option. I didn't get it, but thanks to my wee team & congratulations Fearghal." |