SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie may use the gift of the party’s sole Executive ministry in an attempt to quell internal rumblings over her leadership, it has been claimed.

Yet there are no clear signs of a head of steam building towards an imminent leadership challenge, with some senior figures privately warning disaffected MLAs not to turn the drama of the party’s disappointing election performance into a crisis.

If a clear contender emerges it appears more likely there will be no formal contest until the party’s next annual conference, which is more than six months away.

Sinn Fein and Ulster Unionist sources involved in the ongoing inter-party talks at Stormont yesterday claimed the SDLP had been keenest on delaying the appointment of ministers until next Monday — with Ms Ritchie facing a difficult decision over replacing Alex Attwood on the Executive.

Former Social Development Minister Attwood is thought by some to be out of contention in any case — because he will be focused on the forthcoming West Belfast by-election for the House of Commons following the departure South of Gerry Adams.

There is speculation that the single portfolio the party is entitled to could be given to senior Mid-Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone, who has called for a “root and branch” review of party organisation and its central message.

But Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly and Newry and Armagh Member Dominic Bradley have also been mentioned as strong contenders for the Executive.

Mr McGlone, however, has been seen as the strongest candidate for a potential leadership challenge after criticising the management of the party following the Assembly election.

He supported former deputy leader Alasdair McDonnell, the South Belfast MLA and MP, in the leadership contest against Ms Ritchie 18 months ago following the resignation of Mark Durkan as party leader.

A special party meeting has been called next week to examine the party’s performance across all constituencies. Apart from losing two Assembly seats — with now only 14 MLAs out of 108 — the party also saw its council representation drop below 100 for the first time.

A raft of poor results saw party veterans Tommy Gallagher, Thomas Burns and Declan O'Loan all lose their seats, and left the party with no representation in Fermanagh and South Tyrone.

Nonetheless, Ms Ritchie came out fighting yesterday, following a party meeting the day before, and said she had signalled her intention to continue.

Only one party figure, defeated Down council candidate Peter Fitzpatrick, has publicly called on the leader to stand down, although others are muttering their discontent in private.

Ms Ritchie said, however: “I think he (Mr Fitzpatrick) was speaking in the heat of the moment after losing and in reality I think he may have spoken too soon.

“I attended a party meeting earlier this week and made my intention to continue to lead very clear, and no-one dissented.”