SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has revealed that he considered quitting after the party lost all three MPs in the general election earlier this month.
Mr Eastwood told the BBC’s Inside Politics Programme he decided to stay on after receiving messages of support from inside and outside the party.
He also spoke for the first time about three SDLP councillors who quit after ignoring party instructions to condemn harassment by anti-abortion activists/
Mr Eastwood said hey “embarrassed” the SDLP.
The Foyle MLA also rejected accusations that he showed a “lack of leadership” in not meeting the councillors before they resigned.
Reflecting on the party’s performance in the Westminster election earlier this month, the SDLP leader said it was a bitter blow to lose “three political giants” in Mark Durkan, Margaret Ritchie and Alasdair McDonnell.
Asked if he thought about stepping down as leader, Mr Eastwood said: “I don’t think you can have an election like that and not think about those things.
“But then, you have to come to a decision on what’s best for the future and my view is that I have a role to play and the SDLP has a role to play.”
He added: “I obviously considered if that was the right thing for the party and the country.
“I came to the conclusion after many, many people contacted me both inside and outside the party to say ‘keep going’.”
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