Justin McNulty still a 'valued member', says SDLP leader

SDLP leader Claire Hanna has said that Justin McNulty remains a "valued member" of the party after he failed to be selected as a candidate for Newry and Armagh in next year's Northern Ireland Assembly election.

Crossmaglen councillor Pete Byrne won the vote at a selection convention in Newry last week.

McNulty has been an assembly member for the SDLP since 2016.

On Monday, Hanna said selection processes could be "difficult" but that she sees a role for both men in the party.

However, she refused to be drawn on whether McNulty would run as a candidate for the party in another constituency.

"Pete and Justin are both valued colleagues and friends... there are opportunities and we are in growth mode," she told reporters.

"It's a sign of health in a party that there are contests of ideas, that we have an embarrassment of riches in constituencies that there are a number of credible candidates."

In 2024, McNulty was suspended from the party after quitting Stormont early "without permission" to manage a Gaelic football team, before later having the whip restored.

Byrne is the party group leader on Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.

The SDLP said he has served as a councillor for 10 years.

"I'm incredibly grateful to SDLP members across Newry and Armagh for putting their trust in me," Byrne said.

He also paid tribute to McNulty and "his work representing people across this constituency".

BBC News NI has asked McNulty for comment several times since last week's selection meeting but he has not responded.