The SDLP has withdrawn support for one its councillors in Derry - just two days before voters to go the polls.

Jimmy Carr was a candidate for the party in Thursday's election for the new Derry & Strabane District Council.

He was one of four SDLP candidates standing in the Ballyarnett ward in Derry.

However, the Derry News has learned that the party is withdrawing its support for Councillor Carr, who has been a member of Derry City Council for several years.

The decision comes after it emerged that a council-issued iPad linked to Councillor Carr is now in the possession of the PSNI.

The SDLP said it had referred the matter to the police after it was claimed that messages of a 'questionable' nature had been found on the device.

Councillor Carr, whose father Sean is also a Derry SDLP councillor, has denied any involvement in the messages.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the SDLP tonight said: "The SDLP Derry Election Directorate are no longer asking our candidates and party activists in the Ballyarnett DEA to continue their campaign on the basis of also commending Jimmy Carr's candidacy.

"These three outstanding candidates have to be able to fight the remaining campaign on the basis of the strong policy platform and sound representation which they and the SDLP offer.

"This decision is made without prejudice to any investigations into matters in which Jimmy Carr denies involvement or any other determinations which would not fall to this election directorate."

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