SDLP suspend Justin McNulty after Newry & Armagh MLA leaves Stormont to manage Laois GAA team

The Newry & Armagh MLA attended the sitting at Parliament Buildings but left before it had finished and missed his party colleague, Matthew O'Toole, being nominated as Leader of the Opposition.

Laois were playing in the National League away to Wexford, some three hours away.

A former All-Ireland winner with Armagh, Mr McNulty was appointed to the role in October.

The SDLP confirmed in a statement that the party has now suspended the whip from the Newry and Armagh MLA, that Mr McNulty had left today's sitting of the assembly without "seeking permission" and did not return for "important parliamentary" business which included the SDLP taking up its role as official opposition at Stormont.

"All SDLP MLAs were informed by the party's chief whip that attendance at today's sitting was mandatory for the duration of the assembly proceedings," the spokesman said.

He added: "This was an historic day that saw the restoration of devolved government, the election of the first nationalist first minister and leader of the opposition.

"People rightly expect their elected representatives to be there for work."

It was further stated that the party expected all members of the assembly team to be there "to support their colleagues".

He added that as Mr McNulty "was not in his place, did not seek permission for his absence and breached the direct instruction of the whip, the SDLP chief whip has suspended the whip with immediate effect".

For the record, Laois ran out 1-19 to 0-12 winners.