
He was elected after a two-hour meeting of the SDLP constituency representatives in Dungannon. Mr. Seamus Mallon, chairman of the constituency representatives, was elected deputy leader and Dr. Joe Hendron was chosen to take over Mr. Mallon’s former post.
After his election Mr. Hume said that if Mr. Atkins was serious about talks then he would respond positively to the SDLP request for an agenda that would allow full discussion of the SDLP’s own proposals.