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Ian Paisley: DUP MP keeps seat after recall petition Ian Paisley: DUP MP keeps seat after recall petition
(about 1 hour later)
Ian Paisley has retained his seat as an MP after fewer than 10% of his constituents signed a petition that would have forced a by-election.Ian Paisley has retained his seat as an MP after fewer than 10% of his constituents signed a petition that would have forced a by-election.
It was triggered after the DUP MP was suspended from Westminster for failing to declare two holidays paid for by the Sri Lankan government and then lobbying on its behalf.It was triggered after the DUP MP was suspended from Westminster for failing to declare two holidays paid for by the Sri Lankan government and then lobbying on its behalf.
The petition is the first in UK Parliamentary history.The petition is the first in UK Parliamentary history.
It was open for six weeks at three North Antrim constituency centres.It was open for six weeks at three North Antrim constituency centres.
The petition closed at 17:00 BST on Wednesday.
It needed 7,543 signatures - or 10% of Mr Paisley's constituents, in order to force a by-election and cause Mr Paisley to lose his seat.It needed 7,543 signatures - or 10% of Mr Paisley's constituents, in order to force a by-election and cause Mr Paisley to lose his seat.
The Recall of MPs Bill became law in 2015 under the coalition government.The Recall of MPs Bill became law in 2015 under the coalition government.
The count at the Electoral Office in Belfast began at 00:00 BST on Thursday.
The Speaker of the House John Bercow was first to be notified before the result was posted online.The Speaker of the House John Bercow was first to be notified before the result was posted online.
Ulster Unionist Party Leader Robin Swann said he would "caution Ian Paisley not to see this as some sort of victory or endorsement of his actions in acting as a paid advocate for a foreign government and bringing North Antrim and the House of Commons into disrepute."
He suggested that Mr Paisley "should demonstrate some humility".
Key points from the standards committee's findingsKey points from the standards committee's findings
Mr Paisley's 30-sitting day suspension from the House of Commons began on 4 September, and is one of the longest-ever bans to be handed down at Westminster.Mr Paisley's 30-sitting day suspension from the House of Commons began on 4 September, and is one of the longest-ever bans to be handed down at Westminster.
According to the Commons library, it is the longest suspension since 1949, which is as far as online records go.According to the Commons library, it is the longest suspension since 1949, which is as far as online records go.
In July, after Westminster's standards committee announced its recommendations, Mr Paisley apologised for his behaviour in the Commons.In July, after Westminster's standards committee announced its recommendations, Mr Paisley apologised for his behaviour in the Commons.
The DUP also suspended Mr Paisley "pending further investigation into his conduct".The DUP also suspended Mr Paisley "pending further investigation into his conduct".
Mr Paisley's family has held the North Antrim seat for nearly 50 years.Mr Paisley's family has held the North Antrim seat for nearly 50 years.