The West Belfast MLA, Dr Joe Hendron, has announced he will not be seeking the nomination for the SDLP candidacy in the constituency for the forthcoming Westminster election.
Dr Hendron was MP for the area from 1992 to 1997 when he lost the seat to Mr Gerry Adams.
SDLP Assembly member Mr Alasdair McDonnell has promised a "cliffhanger" of an election in South Belfast after being selected to stand in the constituency. He received the overwhelming backing of the nationalist party's members.
