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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 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. Alliance deputy leader Naomi Long is the new MP for East Belfast.
Both main unionist leaders have suffered defeat in this election as Sir Reg Empey lost in South Antrim.Both main unionist leaders have suffered defeat in this election as Sir Reg Empey lost in South Antrim.
And it has gone to a recount in Fermanagh/South Tyrone with just six votes between candidates - in favour of unionist unity candidate Rodney Connor. On a recount in Fermanagh/South Tyrone, Sinn Fein's Michelle Gildernew is just two votes ahead of unionist unity candidate Rodney Connor.
Voting is neck and neck between Michelle Gildernew, Sinn Fein, and independent candidate Mr Connor. At the first count, eight votes separated the two candidates, with Mr Connor in the lead.
Meanwhile, despite his party's pact with Conservatives, Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey has lost to William McCrea, DUP, in South Antrim. The votes are now being counted for a third time.
Senior Ulster Unionist David McNarry said Sir Reg was "finished" as party leader. Meanwhile, despite his party's pact with the Conservatives, Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey has lost to William McCrea, DUP, 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. Senior Ulster Unionist David McNarry said Sir Reg was "finished" as party leader. But Mr McNarry said he was "not in the stakes for leadership", turning the focus, instead, on unionist unity.
His wife, Iris Robinson's resignation, questions over expenses and land deals may have played a role in his defeat. In a shock turnaround, DUP leader Mr Robinson's share of the vote fell from a 6,000 majority in 2005. This time, he took 11,306 votes and Ms Long won with 12,839 votes.
His wife, Iris Robinson's resignation and 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."
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.
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. Her vote almost quadrupled in this election.Naomi Long is the first elected Alliance MP. Her vote almost quadrupled in this election.
But Stratton Mills served as an Alliance MP in the early 1970s. But William 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.
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.
But 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.
The SDLP has seen off the Sinn Fein challenge from Education Minister Caitriona Ruane in South Down. SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie polled 20,648 votes taking over the mantle from party veteran Eddie McGrady. The SDLP has seen off the Sinn Fein challenge from Education Minister Caitriona Ruane in South Down. SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie polled 20,648 votes, taking over the mantle from party veteran Eddie McGrady.
In Londonderry, the count was suspended after a pipe bomb was left at the Templemore sports complex. The centre was evacuated and counting was delayed about one and a half hours. In Londonderry, the count was suspended after a pipe bomb was left at the Templemore sports complex. But it later resumed and Mark Durkan was returned as Foyle MP.
In other developments:In other developments:
• Jim Shannon, DUP, has won the Strangford seat vacated by Iris Robinson; • Conor Murphy, Sinn Fein, holds his seat as expected in Newry and Armagh;
• Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, Sinn Fein, has retained his seat in Mid Ulster; • Jim Shannon, DUP, takes the Strangford seat vacated by former party colleagueIris Robinson;
• Nigel Dodds, DUP, has retained his seat in North Belfast; • Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, Sinn Fein, retains his seat in Mid Ulster;
• Nigel Dodds, DUP, retains his seat in North Belfast;
• 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, wins the North Down seat;
• Sinn Fein veteran Pat Doherty has retained his West Tyrone seat; • Sinn Fein veteran Pat Doherty retains his West Tyrone seat;
• David Simpson, DUP, retained his Upper Bann seat; • David Simpson, DUP, retains his Upper Bann seat;
• Jeffrey Donaldson, DUP, has held his Lagan Valley seat; • Jeffrey Donaldson, DUP, holds his Lagan Valley seat;
• Sammy Wilson, DUP, has held his seat in East Antrim; • Sammy Wilson, DUP, holds his seat in East Antrim;
• Mark Durkan, SDLP, has held his seat in Foyle. Sixteen out of the 18 Westminster seats have now been declared. The DUP have seven, Sinn Fein have four, the SDLP have three, the Alliance Party has one seat and one seat has been won by the independent, Lady Hermon.
Fifteen out of the 18 Westminster seats have now been declared. The DUP have seven, Sinn Fein have three, the SDLP have three, the Alliance Party has one seat and one seat has been won by the independent, Lady Hermon.