Former SDLP leader Lord Fitt dies
Lord Gerry Fitt, the first leader of the SDLP, has died aged 79.
He had been in poor health for a number of months and suffered from a heart condition.
A fierce critic of the IRA, Lord Fitt led the SDLP from its foundation in 1970 until 1979, when John Hume succeeded him.
Current SDLP leader Mark Durkan expressed his deep sympathy for the family of Lord Fitt.
“Gerry Fitt was a key figure in the civil rights movement and in the political life of the North for many years. As MP for West Belfast, he broke down the wall of indifference that British ministers and Westminster has previously shown towards Northern Ireland.”
He added: “While he was a great character and good company, Gerry Fitt should be remembered, above all, as someone who cared very deeply about the people.”
