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Robinson loses East Belfast seat Robinson loses East Belfast seat
(20 minutes later)
First minister and DUP leader Peter Robinson's entire future in politics is under threat after he lost his Westminster seat.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.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. Both main unionist leaders are facing defeat in this election.
BBC NI political correspondent Gareth Gordon says that sources close to Sir Reg Empey have indicated that he has lost to William McCrea in South Antrim.
In a shock turnaround, DUP leader Mr Robinson's share of the vote 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.
Speaking after the result was announced, Mr Robinson said he would have "preferred not to stand" in East Belfast.Speaking after the result was announced, Mr Robinson said he would have "preferred not to stand" in East Belfast.
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.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.
In East Antrim, Sammy Wilson, DUP, has held his seat.In East Antrim, Sammy Wilson, DUP, has held his seat.
Overall the TUV does not appear to have caused significant damage to the DUP vote.Overall the TUV does not appear to have caused significant damage to the DUP vote.
Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has retained his west Belfast seat polling 22,840 votesSinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has retained his west Belfast seat polling 22,840 votes
Bairbre de Brun, SF, said the recent bad publicity surrounding Gerry Adams has not had any effect on his vote. The turnout in his West Belfast constituency is down by almost 14% but Mr Adams' share of the vote is slightly up.Bairbre de Brun, SF, said the recent bad publicity surrounding Gerry Adams has not had any effect on his vote. The turnout in his West Belfast constituency is down by almost 14% but Mr Adams' share of the vote is slightly up.
In Londonderry, the count has been suspended because of a bomb scare at the Templemore complex. In Londonderry, the count which was suspended because of a bomb scare at the Templemore complex, has now restarted.
In other developments:In other developments:
• Dr Alasdair McDonnell, SDLP, has retained his South Belfast seat
• Lady Sylvia Hermon, standing as an independent, has won the North Down seat• Lady Sylvia Hermon, standing as an independent, has won the North Down seat
• Sinn Fein veteran Pat Doherty retained his West Tyrone seat• Sinn Fein veteran Pat Doherty retained his West Tyrone seat
• David Simpson, DUP, retained his Upper Bann seat• David Simpson, DUP, retained his Upper Bann seat
• Jeffrey Donaldson, DUP, held his Lagan Valley seat• Jeffrey Donaldson, DUP, held his Lagan Valley seat
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. Nine seats have been declared so far. The DUP have four, Sinn Fein has two, the SDLP has one, Alliance has one and there is one independent.
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.
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.
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.
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."
Ballot papers have been collected from 610 locations across Northern Ireland and taken to eight different counting centres.