SDLP reinstates ousted MLA
A leading SDLP Assembly member ousted from the party over his calls for nationalist unity has been reinstated.
North Antrim MLA Declan O’Loan sparked controversy inside SDLP ranks after suggesting the organisation should explore the possibility of forming a single nationalist party with Sinn Fein.
The outraged SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie withdrew the party whip from Mr O’Loan at the Assembly and stripped him of two committee posts he held, but on Friday she said he was being returned to the fold.
Mr O’Loan issued his explosive statement in May, without clearance from the leadership, but was subsequently forced to issue a retraction which noted his proposal “does not represent established party policy”.
“I can confirm that the SDLP Parliamentary/Assembly whip has been restored to Declan O’Loan with immediate effect”, Ms Ritchie said.
“Since his election to the Assembly in 2007, Declan has proved to be an able and adept spokesperson in the finance and personnel portfolio and first-class constituency MLA in North Antrim.
“He has also served as a diligent chair of the Assembly’s standards and privileges committee and vice-chair of the culture, arts and leisure scrutiny committee and will resume both these roles”
“The party is now looking forward to the next phase of politics on this island and there is no doubt that Declan O’Loan will play an integral part in and make a huge contribution to a progressive and dynamic SDLP”, she added.
At the time that the dispute first erupted Sinn Fein claimed Mr O’Loan was reacting to an increase in the republican vote in his constituency in the general election.
Sinn Fein said the SDLP was in danger of losing its North Antrim Assembly seat in next May’s election to the Stormont legislature.
