McGuinness quits frontline politics to concentrate on battling rare genetic disease amid reports he ‘could have just six years to live’
Northern Ireland's former Deputy First Minister resigned last week in protest against the handling of a botched energy scheme
Martin McGuinness has quit frontline politics to concentrate on battling rare genetic disease amid reports he "could have just six years to live".
The Sinn Fein politician and former Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland said that "after a lot of thinking" he has decided not seek re-election to the assembly due to ill health.
The former deputy first minister is believed to have been battling amyloidosis, a rare disease that attacks the organs, for several months, but he hopes to make a recovery.
He said: "On medical advice last year I was advised not to travel to China and in the aftermath of that I underwent a whole series of tests. As a result of those tests I have been diagnosed with a very serious illness which has taken a toll on me.
"But I am being cared for by wonderful doctors and nurses within our national health service and I am very determined to overcome this condition but it is going to take time."
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Mr McGuinness resigned as Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister last week in protest against the handling of a botched energy scheme, forcing a snap election.
He said: "The question I asked myself was 'are you physically capable of fighting an intensive 5/6 week election and doing it to my full abilities?'
"I rapidly came to the conclusion that I am not in any physical state to fight such a campaign. So I have taken the decision that I will not be a candidate in the upcoming election."
The former IRA leader turned peacemaker had been in the post since entering Northern Ireland's power-sharing assembly in 2007 with ex-political enemy Ian Paisley.
Mr McGuinness said he had intended to stand aside in May, on the 10th anniversary of going into government with the DUP's Ian Paisley.
But, he said that the DUP's handling of the Renewable Heating Initiative scandal left him with "no other alternative" but to resign earlier this month.
Mr McGuinness said a new candidate to lead the party into the elections will be announced next week.
He added that although his electoral career is now at an end, his political career is not.
"I hopefully will overcome this illness through time. I am very determined to be an ambassador for peace, unity and reconciliation.
"Reconciliation, I have always believed, is the next vital stage of the peace process.
"My record of reaching out, whether it be to Queen Elizabeth - and her record of reaching out to me on several occasions - my visits to the Somme, to Flanders field, have not been reciprocated by the DUP and that is a particular disappointment to me."
Amyloidosis is a rare condition caused by deposits of abnormal protein – amyloid – in tissues and organs throughout the body.
There are about 30 different proteins that can change and form amyloid, making the disease difficult to treat.
There is currently no cure for the disease and as many as 600 new cases are reported in the UK each year, according to the NHS.
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has wished his party colleague well, saying he hopes he will be back to full health "before too long" and that Mr McGuinness is "very resilient".
He : "I myself have received many messages from former combatants, from former RUC people, from the Protestant community, all saying give our best wishes to Martin.
"He's very resilient, he's getting the very, very best of medical treatment, so hopefully - and if people pray, they should pray - hopefully he will be back to himself before too long."
Prime Minister Theresa May said: “Martin McGuinness served the people of Northern Ireland as deputy First Minister for nearly a decade.
“We recognise his work over many years securing a number of significant political agreements.
“He played a key role in moving the Republican movement towards a position of using peaceful and democratic means.
“I want to send him best wishes for his retirement.
"We will all continue to work to make sure that the people of Northern Ireland are able to live freely and in peace."
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