John Manley has a great scoop in today’s Irish News with comments from the former Deputy First Minister, Seamus Mallon on the leadership of Alasdair McDonnell. It is no secret that some party members are unhappy with McDonnell but now one of the big beasts of the party has came out to call on him to go.

Speaking to Manley he said that McDonnell should resign “as soon as possible” adding that if he acted decisively it would be good for the party and himself.

Echoing Mallon’s statements the former Agriculture Minister, Brid Rodgers said to the Irish News that a “changing of the guard” was required within the SDLP saying of McDonnell:

My view is that he has to go and I’d rather he went with dignity. I think Alasdair should think about what’s best for the party as we’ve just come through another election where we saw a further decline in the SDLP vote.

Full story in today’s Irish News but interesting times ahead for the SDLP….