SDLP defends actions amid row over Derry mayor selection process

The SDLP leadership has defended its actions amidst a row over how it handled the selection of Derry and Strabane’s new mayor.

Councillor Lilian Seenoi-Barr was selected by the SDLP to become the city and district’s new first citizen.

In a historic move by the SDLP, Cllr Seenoi-Barr will become the first black mayor in the North’s history. She will replace incumbent, Sinn Féin’s Patricia Logue in June.

Cllr Seenoi-Barr’s selection by the party’s management committee has proven to be controversial.

A selection convention was due to take place on Monday evening, however the meeting was cancelled by the party's management committee, after they opted to nominate Cllr Seenoi-Barr for mayor instead of taking it to a vote among the party's 300 members.

The SDLP has lost two councillors as a result of the decision to select Cllr Seenoi-Barr without taking it to a vote amongst the party membership.

Councillors Shauna Cusack and current deputy mayor Jason Barr resigned earlier this week over the matter and will now sit on Derry and Strabane District Council as independents.

Both councillors Cusack and Barr were in the running to gain the party’s nomination to become mayor.

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Both have criticised the selection process, branding it as undemocratic.

The councillors claimed that their candidacies were rejected by the management committee following an interview stage of the process, however at “no stage were we advised that this would determine our candidacy”.

In a communication to party members, the SDLP leadership apologised for any “confusion” and “annoyance” the process has caused.

The statement reads: “There has been some confusion, annoyance and, unfortunately, misinformation about this process. We want to apologise for the failures in communicating the process to members, the upset this has caused, and that it has reflected poorly on a positive selection.”

The statement then went on to defend the selection process.

“At the request of one candidate, who would have required a longer notice period, the process was expedited.

“A date was therefore issued for an early convention should one have been required, and reflecting our genuine intention for engagement with local members.

“Candidates were aware that the first stage of the process would be an interview and all agreed to take part. 

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“We acknowledge that this should also have been communicated to party members in the initial notification. This has contributed to confusion and we genuinely regret that.

“Lilian was selected on the basis of high scores to questions asked of all applicants, by a selection panel of Management Committee members elected by members at conference and chaired by an experienced elected representative.

“Interview questions were on issues including participation in party structures, use of previous platforms and special responsibilities and analysis of key political issues facing the party, including Opposition and a New Ireland.

“We are confident she is the best person for the job at this time, but we of course acknowledge the disappointment felt by other applicants.

“We reached out to all those involved to offer a conservation about how we could continue to profile their activism.

“Regrettably news of the selection was communicated to the media by others before formal confirmation has been sent to members.

“This was, sadly, beyond our control and the commentary that has been generated has been manipulated by some outside the SDLP for overtly racist reasons.”

The statement continued: “The constitution contains no specific guidance on Mayoral appointments and these decisions are often made within council groups (including the 2023 deputy mayor nomination for Jason Barr).

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“Following feedback from members, the Management Committee will propose an amendment to the party constitution to regularise the process for the appointment of representatives to positions of civil leadership across the party at the next AGM.

“We deeply regret that this selection has been associated with negativity, apologise sincerely for shortcomings in communication and hope that all members will support the incoming mayor going forward.

“We recognise that the misunderstanding created was not good for the three worthy councillor candidates or to our valued members.”

The statement concluded: “This is a moment of enormous pride for our party, for Derry and Strabane and our entire movement.

“We wish Lilian every success as she takes on the role of Mayor, supported by our first class team across the whole district.”