Yesterday the Andersonstown News revealed that there is likely to be a by election for West Belfast on the 9th June, and that the person who will run unopposed for for Sinn Fein is Paul Maskey, chair of the PAC in the last Assembly.
Slugger understands that it is the Tory Chief Whip Patrick McLoughlan who plans to move the writ on Monday. The precedent has usually related to independent MPs. For instance, Jim Molyneaux moved the writ for Fermanagh South Tyrone when Frank Maguire died, whilst Dafydd Elis-Thomas moved the subsequent writ on the death of Bobby Sands.
And for the record, Gerry Adams is no longer Royal Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead.
Mick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty