Eight candidates to contest general election in Foyle

Eight candidates will contest the upcoming general election in Foyle.

The deadlines for candidates closed on Friday.

The candidates standing in Foyle are: John Boyle (Aontú), Sandra Duffy (Sinn Féin), Colum Eastwood (SDLP), Rachael Ferguson (Alliance Party), Shaun Harkin (People Before Profit), Anne McCloskey (Independent), Gary Middleton (DUP) and Janice Montgomery (UUP).

Former GP Anne McCloskey and Aontú's John Boyle confirmed their election bids late on.

Dr McCloskey previously stood as an independent candidate in the Assembly elections back in 2022. She also stood as a candidate for Aontú at the last Westminster election in 2019.

The same year she was elected as an Aontú Councillor to represent the Ballyarnett ward on Derry City & Strabane District Council. The controversial figure resigned as a councillor in 2020 citing differing opinions with the party over the covid-19 pandemic.

At the time of going to print Dr McCloskey was contesting the local government elections in Donegal in the Letterkenny Municipal District area for the Irish People party.

Dr McCloskey was suspended by an independent medical tribunal in 2021 following controversial remarks she made about children taking Covid-19 vaccines.

A final six-month suspension followed in October 2023 after the tribunal ruled she had used her position to undermine the public health message.

She subsequently lost an appeal against her initial suspension in January.

Meanwhile, Aontú has announced John Boyle as its candidate. He previously sought election to Causeway Coast & Glens District Council.

Mr Boyle’s candidature was confirmed by Aontú deputy leader Gemma Brolly on Friday.

The general election will take place on Thursday July 4, and the polling will open from 7am to 10pm.