Sinn Fein MLA eyes challenge for leadership role

By David Young, PA

Sinn Fein's vice president is set to face a challenge for her job.

Former Stormont education minister John O'Dowd has signalled his ambition to replace Michelle O'Neill in the senior leadership role.

Mr O'Dowd is hoping to secure nominations from party colleagues ahead of a potential challenge at November's Sinn Fein conference, Ard Fheis.

Mrs O'Neill became vice president in January 2018 when her predecessor Mary Lou McDonald succeeded the retiring Gerry Adams as president.

A year earlier, Mrs O'Neill was appointed the party's Stormont leader after the late Martin McGuinness stood down on health grounds.

The move from Mr O'Dowd comes in the wake of the party's poor performance in the European and local council elections south of the border in May.

(Sinn Fein's John O'Dowd)

Sinn Fein lost two of its four MEPs and around half of its councillors.

Mr O'Dowd confirmed his intention to the Belfast Telegraph.

"I can confirm that I am going forward and right now I am speaking to fellow party members to secure nominations," he said.

"I would prefer to talk to more party members first but I will release a more detailed statement at a later date."

A Sinn Fein spokesman said: "Sinn Fein is an open and democratic party.

"Any member of Sinn Fein is entitled to seek nomination for the positions elected at the party's annual Ard Fheis."

Meanwhile, commenting today Sinn Féin Leas Uachtarán Michelle O’Neill MLA said;

“Sinn Féin is a democratic party and I welcome democratic debate and choice within the party. 

“I will, therefore, seek re-election as Leas Uachtarán of our party at the forthcoming Ard Fheis in Derry in 2019.

“The Sinn Féin leadership is fully focused on the threat of Brexit across the whole island and safeguarding the peace and progress of the past 21 years. 

“I am fully committed to this work and to building Sinn Féin as a national political movement for Irish Unity and an agreed Ireland.

“I will ask the party membership to endorse my record by re-electing me to the position of Leas Uachtarán of the party.”