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Robinson loses East Belfast seat | |
(21 minutes later) | |
First minister and DUP leader Peter Robinson's entire future in politics is under threat after he lost his Westminster seat. | |
Alliance deputy leader Naomi Long is the new MP for east Belfast after her vote almost quadrupled. | |
In a shock turnaround, Mr Robinson fell from a 6,000 majority in 2005 to 11,306 votes. Ms Long won 12,839 votes. | |
His wife, Iris Robinson's resignation, questions over expenses and land deals may have played a role in his defeat. | His wife, Iris Robinson's resignation, questions over expenses and land deals may have played a role in his defeat. |
In better news for the DUP, in north Antrim, Ian Paisley Jnr polled 19,672 votes, winning the seat comfortably despite the contest from TUV leader Jim Allister. | |
Overall the TUV does not appear to have caused significant damage to the DUP vote. | |
In Londonderry, the count has been suspended because of a bomb scare at the Templemore complex. | In Londonderry, the count has been suspended because of a bomb scare at the Templemore complex. |
In other developments: | |
| |
Eighteen Westminster seats are being contested. It is the first time in recent years that counting is taking place overnight in NI. | Eighteen Westminster seats are being contested. It is the first time in recent years that counting is taking place overnight in NI. |
Former UUP leader David Trimble with wife Daphne at the Lagan Valley count | |
The former UUP MP is said to have increased her vote. The Ulster Conservative and Unionists candidate Ian Parsley has conceded. | The former UUP MP is said to have increased her vote. The Ulster Conservative and Unionists candidate Ian Parsley has conceded. |
On Twitter, he thanked all those who voted for him, but said it was not enough on this occasion and congratulated Lady Hermon. | On Twitter, he thanked all those who voted for him, but said it was not enough on this occasion and congratulated Lady Hermon. |
Sammy Wilson, DUP, looks set to hold his east Antrim seat. | Sammy Wilson, DUP, looks set to hold his east Antrim seat. |
Turn-out at the polls is just over 60% across Northern Ireland. But in Fermanagh/South Tyrone, where a close contest is expected, the turn-out is over 70%. | Turn-out at the polls is just over 60% across Northern Ireland. But in Fermanagh/South Tyrone, where a close contest is expected, the turn-out is over 70%. |
Meanwhile, an election exit poll suggests Britain is heading for a hung Parliament with David Cameron's Conservatives 21 short of a majority. | Meanwhile, an election exit poll suggests Britain is heading for a hung Parliament with David Cameron's Conservatives 21 short of a majority. |
BBC NI Political Editor Mark Devenport said: "What that means, if true, is that whilst the DUP on their own wouldn't be able to guarantee anyone a majority, our local MPs could certainly be in the mix. | BBC NI Political Editor Mark Devenport said: "What that means, if true, is that whilst the DUP on their own wouldn't be able to guarantee anyone a majority, our local MPs could certainly be in the mix. |
"That would be either as part of a Unionist plus Scottish and Welsh nationalist group propping up the Conservatives or, alternatively, a similar rainbow coalition propping up a Lib-Lab pact." | "That would be either as part of a Unionist plus Scottish and Welsh nationalist group propping up the Conservatives or, alternatively, a similar rainbow coalition propping up a Lib-Lab pact." |
Ballot papers have been collected from 610 locations across Northern Ireland and taken to eight different counting centres. | Ballot papers have been collected from 610 locations across Northern Ireland and taken to eight different counting centres. |