SPLIT RANKS IN SOC DEMS

Party leadership in pushback after grassroots call for change

- Sylvia Pownall

THE Social Democrats Parliamentary Party has backed co-leaders Catherine Murphy and Roisin Shortall following calls for a leadership contest.

In a statement published on Twitter it said it was “united” behind both TDs as a potential heave threatens the stability of the party.

Late on Friday a group of members issued a letter calling on the Soc Dems’ National Executive to convene a leadership contest.

Two party councillors and a group of supporters said Murphy and Shortall had done an “exceptional” job but suggested it was time for change.

Cllr Chris Pender later confirmed he had signed the letter and said he was uncomfortable with the lack of a contest after the 2020 general election.