2 Sinn Féin MLAs deselected in Newry and Armagh

According to the BBC [not yet online], Davy Hyland wasn’t the only casuality of the Sinn Féin selection meeting for Newry and Armagh. The report said that Sinn Féin had confirmed that 2 of the party’s 3 sitting MLAs for the area had been deselected but they did not confirm which two. Given the line-up, it’s likely that the second one is the party’s current Spokesperson for Older People, Pat O’Rawe, rather than Conor Murphy. The report also pointed out that those selections have yet to be ratified. Adds The Irish News has a few quotes from Davy Hyland[subs req] who claimed he was notified of his deselection by text message while on holiday abroad. More BBC report here Added italicised text.From the Irish News report

Mr Hyland claimed there is not enough debate within the party.

“If you don’t absolutely toe the line or if you have any disagreement… it seems a black mark may be put against your name,” he added.

“There are people out there who see this all being choreographed by the Sinn Féin leadership and that it is only a matter of time before the Sinn Féin ard fheis is called and a decision made to back policing arrangements,” he said.

Mr Hyland said his own view was “if you accept policing you are really accepting the statelet”.

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