SDLP leader Mr John Hume is to defend his Foyle seat at the next British general election, it was confirmed tonight.
The 1998 Nobel Peace Prize laureate was chosen by the party to contest the seat in Derry which he has held since 1983.
Mr Hume will be defending a 13,644 majority and is expected to face Sinn Féin's Mr Mitchel McLaughlin.The 64-year-old SDLP leader topped the poll in 1997 with 25,109 votes to Mr McLaughlin's 11,445.
He also came out top in the 1998 Assembly election, getting 12,581 first preference votes.
Mr Hume stepped down from the Stormont Assembly last December to make way for party colleague Ms Annie Courtney because of a heavy workload.
He has been a MEP since 1979 and the MP for Foyle since 1983. He has also been the SDLP's leader since 1979.
There had been speculation that he might not contest Foyle at the election but that was scotched when the man tipped to be his successor, Stormont Finance Minister Mr Mark Durkan, ruled himself out.
The Democratic Unionists have declared Foyle Assemblyman Mr William Hay as their party's candidate for Westminster.Sinn Féin is expected to announce Mr McLaughlin will contest the seat.
PA