East Derry SDLP MLA Gerry Mullan to seek legal advice after being de-selected by party

East Derry MLA Gerry Mullan is to seek legal advice after it was revealed that John Dallat will be the area’s only SDLP candidate in the upcoming assembly election. The former Mayor of Limavady, Mr Mullan was elected as an MLA for the first time last May.

Just eight months later, the SDLP have now decided that he will not be the party’s candidate for the March 2 election. It was revealed yesterday that former Deputy Speaker John Dallat has been chosen to stand in East Derry, after Gerry Mullan and Causeway Coast and Glens councillor Roisin Loftus also put their names forward. Gerry Mullan was said to be disappointed and angry about the decision and planned to discuss the matter with SDLP leader Colum Eastwood. “I’m not happy with being deselected and I will be taking legal advice on it,” he told the County Derry Post. He added that he has enjoyed representing East Derry as an MLA and also a councillor. “I have spent 16 years as a councillor and I have always enjoyed helping and working for people in my community.” John Dallat said that returning to politics after his retirement last year was a “very difficult decision to make.” “Given the circumstances in which we find ourselves, I believe I have the experience and the skills to contribute to what must happen after a public inquiry into RHI,” he said. “It’s really about putting in legislation that prevents the horse bolting, rather than needing public inquiries after the harm has been done. That would be my main focus, other than other issues in East Derry that is still outstanding like the A6 and the hourly service on the railway and the Magilligan ferry service which is still to be resolved.” As the East Derry assembly seats are to be reduced from six to five, Mr Dallat said he felt he was “the person who can save this seat from going to the unionists.” “As a nationalist party we need to go 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. When asked about Gerry Mullan’s performance as an MLA in recent months, Mr Dallat said “It’s not for me to judge that.” “I was out of politics for that period of time. Indeed I was in Yerevan in Armenia when I heard that there was a snap election,” he said. “I would simply wish Gerry all the best and thank him for his contribution.” In a statement SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood said he was “delighted” that John Dallat will be contesting the election. “His authority and his integrity are unimpeachable. Those are the qualities needed now in politics,” he said. “I also want to thank Gerry Mullan for his service as a public representative over a long period of time.”