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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.It was triggered after the DUP MP was suspended from Westminster for failing to declare two holidays paid for by the Sri Lankan government.
Mr Paisley said the electorate had "clearly spoken" and thanked his backers for their "unwavering support".Mr Paisley said the electorate had "clearly spoken" and thanked his backers for their "unwavering support".
The petition was the first in UK Parliamentary history.The petition was 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 needed 7,543 signatures - or 10% of Mr Paisley's constituents - to force a by-election and cause Mr Paisley to lose his seat.The petition needed 7,543 signatures - or 10% of Mr Paisley's constituents - to force a by-election and cause Mr Paisley to lose his seat.
It was signed by 7,099 people.
Mr Paisley, who lobbied on the Sri Lankan government's behalf after the holidays, said: "In July I apologised for a mistake made almost six years ago.Mr Paisley, who lobbied on the Sri Lankan government's behalf after the holidays, said: "In July I apologised for a mistake made almost six years ago.
"The electorate was asked to pass judgment - 90.6% have accepted my apology."The electorate was asked to pass judgment - 90.6% have accepted my apology.
"The electorate has clearly spoken."The electorate has clearly spoken.
"I would like to thank my true friends, family, the electorate who have stood by me with unwavering support. Hallelujah.""I would like to thank my true friends, family, the electorate who have stood by me with unwavering support. Hallelujah."
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 Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, was first to be notified before the result was posted online.The Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, was first to be notified before the result was posted online.
Sinn Féin North Antrim MLA Philip McGuigan said he was disappointed "that the requisite number of signatures was not secured to oust Ian Paisley from office" but he said "the issues at the heart of this scandal remain unchanged".Sinn Féin North Antrim MLA Philip McGuigan said he was disappointed "that the requisite number of signatures was not secured to oust Ian Paisley from office" but he said "the issues at the heart of this scandal remain unchanged".
He said the result should not be taken as "an endorsement" of Mr Paisley's actions but as "an indictment on the electoral office, which did not do enough to facilitate the people of North Antrim who wished to sign the petition".He said the result should not be taken as "an endorsement" of Mr Paisley's actions but as "an indictment on the electoral office, which did not do enough to facilitate the people of North Antrim who wished to sign the petition".
'Unprecedented''Unprecedented'
The Chief Electoral Officer in Northern Ireland, Virginia McVea, has defended how the process was managed.The Chief Electoral Officer in Northern Ireland, Virginia McVea, has defended how the process was managed.
"The access to this electoral event is quite simply unprecedented," she told BBC News NI."The access to this electoral event is quite simply unprecedented," she told BBC News NI.
"Never before in Northern Ireland has there been postal vote on demand, no reason had to be given, and instead of one day for poll, we ran for six weeks and with two late nights on top.""Never before in Northern Ireland has there been postal vote on demand, no reason had to be given, and instead of one day for poll, we ran for six weeks and with two late nights on top."
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".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".He suggested that Mr Paisley "should demonstrate some humility".
Analysis: Narrow margin in recall petitionAnalysis: Narrow margin in recall petition
Enda McClafferty, BBC News NI Political CorrespondentEnda McClafferty, BBC News NI Political Correspondent
If the petition was to succeed then it needed the support of at least 10% of the electorate in North Antrim. It got 9.4% and was 444 signatures short.If the petition was to succeed then it needed the support of at least 10% of the electorate in North Antrim. It got 9.4% and was 444 signatures short.
That means Ian Paisley will remain in the seat his family has held for almost 50 years.That means Ian Paisley will remain in the seat his family has held for almost 50 years.
He wasn't there for the count this morning but was told the news in a text from the Chief Electoral Officer Virginia McVea. She defended how the process was managed.He wasn't there for the count this morning but was told the news in a text from the Chief Electoral Officer Virginia McVea. She defended how the process was managed.
Mr Paisley can now look forward to returning to the House of Commons, once he serves the remainder of his 30 day ban from Westminster.Mr Paisley can now look forward to returning to the House of Commons, once he serves the remainder of his 30 day ban from 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.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.
Key points from the standards committee's findingsKey points from the standards committee's findings