Dr Kieran Deeny won't contest next assembly election

Image caption, Dr Kieran Deeny was first elected to the assembly in 2003

Dr Kieran Deeny will not stand in the Northern Ireland Assembly election in May.

The independent MLA stood on a health ticket in West Tyrone for the first time in 2003 and topped the poll with almost 15% of the vote.

In 2007, that had dropped to just over 9%. He also stood for Westminster in the constituency in 2005, finishing second behind Sinn Fein's Pat Doherty.

The 56-year-old is still a practising GP in Carrickmore.

Dr Deeny won his assembly seat in 2003 on a single issue ticket to save hospital services in Omagh.