Northern Ireland’s Finance Minister, Mr Mark Durkan, was tonight poised to become the new leader of the SDLP.
He is set to take over from Mr John Hume at the party's annual conference in Newcastle, Co Down in November.
Mr Durkan (41) from Derry was the only name on the list when nominations for the new leader closed today.
But five have been nominated for deputy leader to take over from the Newry and Armagh MP Mr Seamus Mallon, the deputy First Minister at Northern Assembly who is also standing down.
They are Ms Brid Rodgers and Mr Sean Farren, also ministers at the Assembly, Mr Denis Haughey, Mr Alban Maginness and Ms Margaret Ritchie.
A sixth candidate who had put her name forward, Ms Patricia Lewsley, withdrew at the last moment.
PA
