Patsy McGlone has confirmed he is retiring from Stormont at the next assembly election
SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone has confirmed he is stepping down from the Stormont at the next assembly election.
The 66-year-old Mid Ulster representative is the party's longest-serving MLA at Stormont.
First elected in 1993 as a councillor he in 2003 joined the Northern Ireland Assembly.
SDLP leader Claire Hanna said McGlone's electoral record was a "testament to the trust and respect he has earned from the community he serves".
The assembly election is due to take place on 6 May 2027.
Parties are currently in the process of selecting candidates who will run for the 90 seats up for grabs.
On Social media DUP MLA Peter Weir said: ‘Best wishes for the future to Patsy McGlone who is retiring from the Assembly next year.
‘We wouldn’t always agreed on everything politically, but he always fought his corner in a civil and reasoned manner, and was friendly and good company throughout the 19 years we were both MLAs’.