Bloody Sunday campaigner joins election fray
Journalist and civil rights campaigner Eamonn McCann is to run for Westminster, it emerged today.
The Bloody Sunday campaigner, who secured 2,257 votes in the 2003 Assembly election, is to bid for the SDLP’s seat as a Socialist Environmental Alliance candidate.
His candidacy will make the contest for former SDLP leader John Hume’s seat all the more fierce with Sinn Féin general secretary Mitchel McLaughlin and SDLP leader Mark Durkan engaged in a bitter battle.
Mr Durkan was today due to hand in his nomination papers at Londonderry’s Electoral Office on the Strand Road before addressing the city’s Chamber of Commerce.
He will be joined on the campaign trail by his mentor, Mr Hume.
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin’s officer board is meeting in the city, with party leader Gerry Adams due to join Mr McLaughlin at the launch of an election poster at Free Derry Corner.
The Socialist Environmental Alliance will launch its manifesto in Derry today.
The party is fielding five local government candidates, including Mr McCann, in the city.
