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Robinson loses East Belfast seat Robinson loses East Belfast seat
(10 minutes later)
First minister and DUP leader Peter Robinson's entire future in politics is under threat after he lost the Westminster seat he held for 31 years.First minister and DUP leader Peter Robinson's entire future in politics is under threat after he lost the Westminster seat he held for 31 years.
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.
Both main unionist leaders are facing defeat in this election. Both main unionist leaders have suffered 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. Despite his party's pact with Conservatives, Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey has lost to William McCrea, DUP, in South Antrim.
Meanwhile senior Ulster Unionist David McNarry said Sir Reg Empey is "finished" as party leader. Senior Ulster Unionist David McNarry said Sir Reg was "finished" as party leader.
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.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.
"I have a job to complete with my mandate at the Assembly and I will continue to carry out that important work," he said moments after the shock result was announced."I have a job to complete with my mandate at the Assembly and I will continue to carry out that important work," he said moments after the shock result was announced.
"I have been honoured over these past years to be the representative of east Belfast in parliament. I have handed that task and responsibility to Naomi and I know that she will fulfil that trust of people in east Belfast as she works on their behalf in Westminster and in their constituency.""I have been honoured over these past years to be the representative of east Belfast in parliament. I have handed that task and responsibility to Naomi and I know that she will fulfil that trust of people in east Belfast as she works on their behalf in Westminster and in their constituency."
BBC NI political editor Mark Devenport said the shock defeat "damages Mr Robinson's stock".BBC NI political editor Mark Devenport said the shock defeat "damages Mr Robinson's stock".
"None of the DUP MPs who we have been speaking to live on our election special wishes to be Brutus wielding his dagger, but tonight's results increases the standing of the Paisley and potentially the Dodds dynasties in the party."None of the DUP MPs who we have been speaking to live on our election special wishes to be Brutus wielding his dagger, but tonight's results increases the standing of the Paisley and potentially the Dodds dynasties in the party.
Long: 'Victory for East Belfast'Long: 'Victory for East Belfast'
"So who will be in charge of any negotiations with the future would-be Prime Ministers?""So who will be in charge of any negotiations with the future would-be Prime Ministers?"
Naomi Long is the first elected Alliance MP. But Stratton Mills served as an Alliance MP in the early 1970s.Naomi Long is the first elected Alliance MP. But Stratton Mills served as an Alliance MP in the early 1970s.
He was elected for the Ulster Unionists in 1970 for North Belfast and before the end of the parliament in 1974, he joined his fellow UUP MPs in resigning the Conservative whip.He was elected for the Ulster Unionists in 1970 for North Belfast and before the end of the parliament in 1974, he joined his fellow UUP MPs in resigning the Conservative whip.
He then sat as an independent Conservative and Unionist before joining the Alliance Party in 1973.He then sat as an independent Conservative and Unionist before joining the Alliance Party in 1973.
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 Strangford, Iris Robinson's former seat, Jim Shannon is said to be "confident" of holding the seat for the DUP.
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.
The Ulster Unionists' pact with the Conservatives has not produced the fightback they had hoped for. But the Ulster Unionists' pact with the Conservatives has not produced the fightback they had hoped for.
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 which was suspended because of a bomb scare at the Templemore complex, has now restarted.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• 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
• Sammy Wilson, DUP, has held his seat in East Antrim.• Sammy Wilson, DUP, has held his seat in East Antrim.
• Mark Durkan, SDLP, has held his seat in Foyle• Mark Durkan, SDLP, has held his seat in Foyle
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.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.