'A lot of discontent' in East Derry SDLP over return of former MLA John Dallat

Former East Derry MLA Gerry Mullan is to quit the SDLP and stand as an independent candidate, it has been revealed. A member of the SDLP, who wanted to remain anonymous, told the County Derry Post yesterday that the former Mayor of Limavady plans to regain his assembly seat, after being deselecting as the party’s candidate in the constituency. The source said that there is 'a lot of discontent' among party members in East Derry over the decision that veteran John Dallat will stand as the SDLP’s sole candidate in the area, just eight months after he retired and Gerry Mullan was elected. “I think there were inconsistencies with the selection process. I know a lot of people have contacted Gerry in the past few weeks to give their support to him and saying that they won’t be supporting John Dallat,” he said. “I think that the seat is definitely at risk in East Derry, I can’t see how the party will win it back.” He added that he believes that a number of the area’s party members, including local councillors may resign and help Gerry Mullan with his election campaign. “They’ve completely split the constituency in two, members feel outraged by the decision the party leadership has taken in regards to Gerry,” the SDLP party member said. He added that he cannot understand party leader Colum Eastwood’s reasons for “taking such a big gamble,” which he believes will prove to be “hugely damaging to the party in East Derry.” As the East Derry assembly seats are to be reduced from six to five, Mr Dallat recently said that he felt he was “the person who can save this seat from going to the unionists.” “As a nationalist party we need to in there with a very strong candidate with a lifetime of service in the hope that the seat doesn’t revert to Unionism, particularly the DUP who have caused the financial difficulties in the first place,” he said. Gareth Peoples, who stood as a candidate for the SDLP in the 2005 council elections, also hit out at the selection process, saying that “something does not sit right” about how Gerry Mullan was overlooked by the party. He said that although he has “great admiration” for John Dallat, he was “not comfortable” at the selection process for the election. “He did a great job in East Derry and was a tireless worker, but this doesn’t sit right. I won’t be voting for him,” he said. “If John Dallat really wanted to help, why not help his successor in an advisory role?” He said that he believes that John Dallat was selected by the SDLP leadership, while Gerry Mullan and Causeway Coast and Glens councillor Roisin Loftus were not under consideration as election candidates. “As far as I’m aware, they were called down to head office, there was a meeting and then they were told that their names were not being put forward,” he said. “I approached the party and they told me that they had followed the proper procedure and protocols. “They knew what Gerry Mullan stood for, so I’d like to know the reasons why he was not allowed to stand. If he was good enough last year and John Dallat endorsed him - John Dallat has known him for 15 years - why is he considered not good enough eight months later? He said that he believes the decision will cause serious problems for the party. “I think this could cause the party great damage in East Derry and split the vote. Gerry Mullan has a following and people won’t like how this was handled.” “If they are doing this just to keep the seat out of Unionist hands, is that not sectarian politics?”