Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams is still angry with SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie following her refusal to discuss unity candidates in key constituencies.
Mr Adams has offered to stand aside Sinn Féin hopeful Alex Maskey in South Belfast, to assist the chances of sitting MP Dr Alasdair McDonnell of the SDLP. In return Mr Adams would like high-profile SDLP newcomer and former UTV journalist Fearghal McKinney to give Sinn Féin’s Michelle Gildernew a clear run at defending her Fermanagh South Tyrone seat. She is facing a unity unionist candidate in Rodney Connor as both the Ulster Conservatives and Unionists New Force and the DUP have cleared the field for him.