SDLP's Justin McNulty has whip restored

An SDLP assembly member who was suspended from the party after quitting Stormont early "without permission" to manage a Gaelic football team has had the whip restored.

Justin McNulty was appointed Laois manager last October.

In February he left the first sitting of the new assembly to attend the GAA game in which the team he manages was playing.

The SDLP has said following a review he has now had the whip restored.

The development was first reported by the Irish News on Tuesday.

A spokesperson said that decision was “subject to the standard conditions expected of all party representatives”.

“We look forward to welcoming Justin back to our team at the Assembly.”

The SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood said his view has always been that it would be possible to resolve this.

“I am pleased that the whip has now been restored and look forward to working with Justin as a member of our team to deliver for the people of Newry and Armagh.”