Aontú: Emmet Doyle to replace Dr Anne McCloskey on council

Emmet Doyle will become one of two Aontú councillors in NI

A former SDLP election candidate will replace former Aontú deputy leader Dr Anne McCloskey on Derry City and Strabane District council.

Emmet Doyle was selected to replace Dr McCloskey by party members on Thursday.

He unsuccessfully sought election as an SDLP candidate to the council in 2014 and again in 2019 as an independent candidate.

Mr Doyle said he was "humbled and excited" to have been ratified by the party.

"I want to use my experience in the political life of our city to fight for adequate housing, community infrastructure and secure jobs for the future," Mr Doyle said.

Mr Doyle, at one-time an advisor to former Foyle SDLP MLA Pat Ramsey, added: "Our community deserves nothing less."

Anne McCloskey also stood down as the party's deputy leader

Dr McCloskey stood down earlier this month due to differences of opinion with her party over Stormont's handling of Covid-19.

She said she was "reluctantly" resigning due to her views "differing considerably" with that of the party.

She also stood down as deputy leader but remains a party member.

Founded by ex-Sinn Féin member Peadar Tóibín, Aontú has two councillors in Northern Ireland.