THE SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, ended political speculation at the weekend by announcing that he would stand again in the British general election.
Mr Hume's decision to seek, and inevitably secure, his party's nomination to contest the Foyle constituency again was based, he said, on the need to keep up his work at Westminster "and other forums" until there was a peace agreement and a negotiated settlement in the North.
However, contrary to reports yesterday, no new peace initiative emerged at the weekend, Mr Hume said last night. Reports that he was to put new proposals to the British Prime Minister apparently arose from confusion over an interview which he gave to RTE in Strasbourg last week.
Mr Hume said he had referred in the interview to his latest meeting with the Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, the previous Friday. However, there had been no further meetings since then and no new formula had arisen.
Although there will be some surprise that Mr Hume intends to keep his dual mandate at the European Parliament and Westminster, his candidacy in the general election will represent his party's best chance of retaining the Foyle seat. There will be a strong challenge for the scat from the expected Sinn Fein candidate, Mr Mitchel McLaughlin.
Mr Hume announced his intention of renewing his candidacy on Saturday as he celebrated his 60th birthday. The SDLP chairman, Mr Jonathan Stephenson, said that, on his birthday, Mr Hume had given "a priceless gift" to all the people of Northern Ireland, his strengthened commitment and dedication to the search for a lasting peace.
The SDLP MP for West Belfast, Dr Joe Hendron, also welcomed his leader's decision and predicted that he would have no difficulty in winning the seat again. It was important for Mr Hume to stay at Westminster.
Meanwhile, the Ulster Unionist Party leader, Mr David Trimble, called on the loyalist paramilitary leadership to clarify its ceasefire position.
There should be a statement from the Combined Loyalist Military Command, he said, to clear up any ambiguity about its position after two recent bomb attacks on republicans.
Sinn Fein yesterday denied reports that Mr Adams had been refused a visa to visit the US. A Sinn Fein spokesman said that while Mr Adams had considered travelling to the US to publicise his autobiography, he had decided not to go before the general election.