- author, Brendan Hughes
- role, BBC News Northern Ireland Political Reporter
-
Sinn Féin has announced that it will not field candidates in four Northern Irish constituencies in the UK general election.
The Irish Republican Party will not stand in the election in East Belfast, South Belfast, Mid Down, Lagan Valley or North Down.
Sinn Féin's electoral chairman Conor Murphy said he was calling on voters in these constituencies to support “a progressive party that rejects the Conservative cuts and the deal”.
“Every district needs to fight back against this. We're determined to give progressive, inclusive candidates the best chance of winning in these four districts,” he said.
“This has not been an easy decision for Sinn Féin but we believe it is in the best interests of communities here in the North.”
Instead, the DUP is backing Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) candidate Diana Armstrong.
The seat was held by Sinn Féin's Michelle Gildernew, but she will not stand in the general election on 4 July.
Cullen said he was “hugely honoured” and added that he was “committed to serving workers, families and communities across Fermanagh South Tyrone”.
Analysis: General election battle taking shape
Sinn Féin withdrew from three constituencies in the last Westminster election in 2019, but will now add a fourth.
The move in south Belfast and north Down will increase the chances of the SDLP's Claire Hanna and Alliance's Stephen Farry retaining their seats.
In east Belfast, DUP leader Gavin Robinson may come under added pressure to fend off Alliance leader Naomi Long.
A new addition to the list is Lagan Valley.
The battle for Northern Ireland's general election is gradually taking shape, with unionist parties also fielding independent candidates in the constituencies in question.
The DUP and Traditional Unionists (TUV) also defected in North Down to support Alex Easton, an independent and unionist candidate running against the Alliance Party's deputy leader and incumbent, Stephen Farry.
DUP leader Gavin Robinson has controlled east Belfast since 2015.
Former DUP leader Sir Geoffrey Donaldson ruled the Lagan Valley constituency for 27 years but is facing historical sexual abuse allegations and will not stand for re-election – something Mr Donaldson intends to contest.
In 2019, Belfast South was won by Claire Hanna of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP).
How many seats did Sinn Fein win last time?
The party does not have a seat at Westminster and has always adopted a policy of abstention from the House of Commons.
There are 18 constituencies in Northern Ireland.
The deadline for candidates to submit their nomination to stand in the general election in Northern Ireland is Friday 7 June.
A full list of candidates standing in all 18 constituencies will be published on BBC News NI after the deadline for nominations.
