Martin McGuinness set to quit Stormont politics

Martin McGuinness said he does not feel he would be 'physically able' to contest the upcoming election. Credit: Pacemaker

Martin McGuinness has revealed he will not stand for re-election to the Northern Ireland Assembly this March.

The former deputy First Minister told UTV he does not feel he would be “physically able to fight an intensive election campaign over the next five or six weeks”.

So, Mr McGuinness said, “I will not be a candidate in the forthcoming elections”.

The move brings to an end the Sinn Féin politician’s Stormont career, where he has been an MLA since 1998, representing the constituencies of Mid Ulster and later Foyle.

During that time he has served as Education Minister, from 1999 to 2002, before becoming deputy First Minister when the Assembly returned in 2007.

Mr McGuinness resigned from that post last week as criticism mounted over the DUP’s handling of the renewable heating scandal.

When Sinn Féin refused to nominate a successor, a snap election was called for 2 March.

In an emotionally-charged interview, Martin McGuinness said he had originally intended to stand down in May - on the tenth anniversary of his historic agreement with Ian Paisley - but he has decided to go now and will not be contesting the upcoming poll.

He said the move will allow the party to "make way for a new leader of Sinn Féin in the North".

Martin McGuinness added: "After long and careful consideration, I have decided that it is time for a new generation of republicans to lead us into this election and the negotiations that will follow.

"As a Sinn Féin activist I will continue to play a full and enthusiastic part in that essential process of building bridges, of dialogue and of reconciliation between our still divided people.

"Despite the current difficulties and challenges, I am confident and optimistic about the future. We have faced more difficult times and found a way forward.

"As a society we have made enormous progress. We must continue to move forward. Dialogue is the only option."

  • VIDEO: From gunman to government - UTV's Jane Loughrey looks back at the career of Martin McGuinness: