LABOUR TD ÉAMONN Maloney has stepped down from the party, saying he will instead run as an Independent candidate.

In a statement released this evening, Maloney said:

“Following discussions with my supporters, I have decided to contest the General Election as an Independent candidate.

I will serve out my term as an Independent TD, representing the constituents in Dublin South West.

“In July, I expressed the view to the Party that running two candidates in the forthcoming General Election would result in the Labour Party having no TD in our Constituency.

“I withdrew my nomination from the Party’s Selection Convention when the Party decided to adopt a two candidate strategy.

“I will continue to campaign on the important social issues that affect peoples’ everyday life.”

Maloney is the seventh Labour TD to rule out fighting for his seat in the general election. The party now has no serving TDs running in Dublin South West.

Maloney was the only TD in Ireland who claimed no expenses at all in 2011, at a time when many TDs were claiming over €50,000 in expenses.

At the time he told TheJournal.ie, “It’s a matter of principle for me. I didn’t break it in the Council and I’m not going to do it here.”

Read: Meet the only TD in Ireland who claims NO expenses>