By Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor
PUBLISHED: 08:01 EST, 31 December 2012 | UPDATED: 08:21 EST, 31 December 2012
Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has quit as an MP
Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness has resigned as an MP.
The move comes 15 years after winning the Mid-Ulster seat in Westminster which he never took up.
He said his resignation was in line with his party's commitment to end 'double jobbing' where politicians held seats in Westminster and the Stormont assembly.
Mr McGuinness said he planned to concentrate on his job as Stormont MLA and deputy First Minister.
Francie Molloy will run for the seat in his place.
Mr McGuinness said: 'I am resigning as MP but I have no intention of leaving Mid-Ulster. South Derry and East Tyrone have suffered immensely as a result of the conflict.
'I will always be grateful to the people of this area for trusting me to represent them and their interests.
'I will of course continue to represent the Mid-Ulster constituency in the Assembly. I am honoured to do so both as an MLA and as deputy First Minister in equal partnership with Peter Robinson.'
He announced that he would quit as an MP in June.
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Your comments:Good riddance. 2013, only 45 minutes old, is already better.
- Jules23 , Adelaide, 31/12/2012 14:17
The cowardice of our MPs at westminster sometimes makes me ashamed to be British. If McGuinness refused to take his seat for 15 years, then he should have been kicked out and his party de-selected from the electoral process entirely. Meanwhile, Gerry Adams certainly had no qualms about accepting money from the British taxpayers
- Soraya , London, 31/12/2012 14:17
Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness has resigned as an MP. So what! It was a scandal that he became an MP anyway.
- lokudlad , huddersfield, Denmark, 31/12/2012 14:15
Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness has resigned as an MP. So what! It was a scandal that he became an MP anyway.
- lokudlad , huddersfield, Denmark, 31/12/2012 14:13
Francie Molloy is a more intelligent and moderate person, he has always taken a great interest in the environment.
- Malachy , Belfast, 31/12/2012 14:05
I hope he didn't draw any pay for 15 years as he failed to turn up for work, and if he did take the money he should be taken to court for obtaining it by false pretences.
- wurz 1968 , COLCHESTER, 31/12/2012 14:05
Has he claimed expenses while NOT taking up his seat and if so will he be paying them back......vile man.
- AmberPanda , West Country, United Kingdom, 31/12/2012 14:04
Good riddance to bad rubbish. Why we pandered to this man of violence in the first place is anyone's guess. I have a feeling we will be hearing a lot more of the truth of his actions and intentions in the years to come...
- Helena Handcart , eastbourne, 31/12/2012 14:04
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If only ALL the hypocritical and self-serving MPs are also refusing to take their seats!
- Karla , Moscow Centre - East Berlin, Germany, 31/12/2012 14:17
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