Second Sinn Féin assembly member won't seek re-election

Maolíosa McHugh has said he will not be seeking re-election to Stormont next year.

The Sinn Féin assembly member has been a representative for the West Tyrone constituency at the Northern Ireland Assembly since 2019.

He is the second Sinn Féin assembly member to confirm they will not be standing in the assembly election scheduled for May 2027.

McHugh, a former mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, said representing his party and people in his constituency has been "the honour of my life".

He said in his role as a member of the legislative assembly (MLA), he has "endeavoured without prejudice to serve all in the constituency".

"I have taken every opportunity to further the cause of a new and united Ireland and to promote the Irish language as something to be shared by all," he added.

"I will continue in my role as an MLA for the coming months, but have taken this decision so we can plan for continued growth and a successful election in 2027."

It comes after Foyle MLA Pádraig Delargy confirmed in February he will also not be seeking re-election to the assembly next year.

McHugh was first elected in 2011 to Strabane District Council, representing the Derg ward.

He continued as a councillor when the local authorities were merged to form Derry City and Strabane District Council in 2015 and served a term as mayor in 2017-18.

During that time he defended refusing to meet the then Prince Charles.

McHugh lost his council seat in elections in 2019, but he was selected within days by Sinn Féin to take up a vacant assembly seat for West Tyrone.

He was subsequently elected to the assembly in 2022.