Hume to bow out of politics
Former SDLP leader John Hume is to stand down as an MEP at the European elections in June.
The Nobel Peace Prize winner will also leave Westminster politics at the general election.
Mr Hume and Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 1998 for their work in setting in train the Good Friday Agreement.
The 67-year old has been ill for some time and said he was retiring on health grounds.
Mr Hume’s replacement will be announced at the party’s annual conference later this month.
The name of Belfast Lord Mayor Martin Morgan has been put forward as an early favourite for the post.
Mr Hume told a news conference: “I regret this very much since it is a position that I have very much valued.
“I have been very honoured to represent the people of Northern Ireland in Europe and I will obviously continue to do so as well as I can until June.”
Gerry Adams, leader of Sinn Fein, paid tribute to the veteran peace maker: “He was vilified, of course, but in a short period of time the Hume/Adams dialogue, as it became known, opened up the possibility of a new beginning.
“That period of hope is often forgotten now as the peace process stumbles from one crisis to another.
“But that hope should be a lasting tribute to the finest hour of John Hume.”
Leader of the SDLP, Mark Durkan, said his predecessor had “huge insight, influence and inspiration.”
“After June he will no longer be a pillar of the European Parliament – but he remains a tower of strength to all who believe in peace, decency, democracy and social justice.”
European Parliament President Pat Cox said Mr Hume was one of the parliament’s “most outstanding, respected and longest serving members.”
Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said Mr Hume had “earned the respect and gratitude of the people of Ireland.”
Mr Ahern added: “His uncompromising insistence on peace as the only way forward allowed John to positively influence the policy of successive British governments towards the formulation of the inclusive political process of today.”
