SF split over successor to ‘seriously ill’ McGuinness

A MAJOR rupture is understood to have emerged within Sinn Féin over who may be appointed as the next deputy first minister.

It is understood that party president Gerry Adams is anxious to ensure that senior MLA Conor Murphy does not secure the position, instead favouring the younger Mid Ulster MLA Michelle O’Neill.

The former IRA commander yesterday announced his retirement from politics after he emerged he is suffering from a serious illness.

Mr McGuinness, who said he was “physically unable to continue”, was instrumental in bringing down the Stormont Assembly amid the bitter row between Sinn Féin and the DUP over the ‘cash-for-ash’ scandal.

He spoke in detail for the first time about his health battle and revealed that after “a lot of thinking” he will not be contesting the forthcoming election.

But the spotlight has immediately switched to Mr McGuinness’s successor, sparking serious tensions internally.

Mr Adams is expected to install one of the party’s most prominent female politicians as the next deputy first minister.

Any decision to appoint Ms O’Neill will raise the prospect of Mary Lou McDonald being chosen to replace Mr Adams when he steps aside.

A MAJOR rupture is understood to have emerged within Sinn Féin over who may be appointed as the next Deputy First Minister.

It is understood that party President Gerry Adams is anxious to ensure that senior MLA Conor Murphy does not secure the position, instead favouring the younger Mid Ulster MLA Michelle O’Neill.

The former IRA commander yesterday announced his retirement from politics after it emerged he is suffering from a serious illness.

Mr McGuinness, who said he was “not physically able to continue” in politics, was instrumental in bringing down the Stormont Assembly amid the bitter row between Sinn Féin and the DUP over the ‘Cash for Ash’ scandal. He has revealed that after “a lot of thinking” he will not be contesting the election due to ill health.

But the spotlight has immediately switched to Mr McGuinness’s successor, sparking serious tensions internally.

Mr Adams is expected to install one of the party’s most prominent female politicians as the next Deputy First Minister. Ms O’Neill has taken a notable lead in terms of Sinn Féin’s public response to the unfolding ‘Cash for Ash’ crisis, and many believe she is becoming the public face of the party in Northern Ireland.

She is also understood to be Mr McGuinness’s preferred choice to succeed him, while another wing of the party would prefer Mr Murphy.

Any decision to appoint Ms O’Neill will raise the prospect of Mary Lou McDonald being chosen to replace Mr Adams when he steps aside.

Mr Adams and Mr Murphy share lifelong involvements with the Republican movement.

Sinn Féin sources pointed out that the decision in relation to Mr McGuinness’s successor rests solely with Gerry Adams.

While MLAs John O’Dowd and Máirtín Ó Muilleoir are also in the running, it is accepted that they remain outsiders.

Mr McGuinness last night spoke in detail for the first time about his health battle.

“The question I asked myself was ‘are you physically capable of fighting an intensive five- or six-week election and doing it to my full abilities?’ I rapidly came to the conclusion that I am not in any physical state to fight such a campaign,” he said.

Mr McGuinness had intended to stand aside in May, the 10th anniversary of going into government with Ian Paisley.

However, he said that the DUP’s handling of the Renewable Heating Initiative (RHI) scandal left him with “no other alternative” but to resign.

“As someone who has worked night and day over the course of 10 years to keep the institutions intact . . . it was particularly disappointing having kept up the institutions for almost 10 years that I found myself with no other alternative but to resign. And of course that has led to an election.”

Mr McGuinness said he had been battling ill health for several months, but he hoped to make a recovery.

“On medical advice last year I was advised not to travel to China and in the aftermath of that I underwent a whole series of tests. As a result of those tests I have been diagnosed with a very serious illness which has taken a toll on me.

“But I am being cared for by wonderful doctors and nurses . . . I am very determined to overcome this condition but it is going to take time.”