McDonnell and Maskey clash over win
The SDLP’s Alasdair McDonnell has angrily denied suggestions that Alex Maskey’s decision to pull out of the contest contributed to him retaining the south Belfast seat.
Sinn Fein announced that they would withdraw their candidate in April in a bid to “maximise nationalist representation” in South Belfast.
Party president Gerry Adams branded the move “a bold leadership initiative by Sinn Fein”.
In fiery exchanges in the UTV studios on Friday the two men locked horns over the way in which Mr McDonnell took the seat.
“Alex didn’t tell people to vote for me or endorse me in anyway. He pulled back but made no recommendation in any shape of form,” Mr McDonnell said.
However Mr Maskey said he convinced Sinn Fein voters to support his rival.
“Alasdair should be a little more gracious not to me but to the people who traditionally vote Sinn Fein and who have given Alasdair their vote on this occasion.”
“I withdrew my candidature and got a lot of grief from Sinn Fein voters in south Belfast for doing so.”
Mr McDonnell polled 14,026 votes while the DUP’s Jimmy Spratt came second with 8,100 votes.
