This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-northern-ireland-13718129
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Sinn Fein's Paul Maskey wins West Belfast by-election | Sinn Fein's Paul Maskey wins West Belfast by-election |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Sinn Fein's Paul Maskey has been elected as the new MP for West Belfast. | |
| Mr Maskey took 70.6% of the vote in Thursday's by-election with 16,211 votes. The turnout of 37.53% was a record low for Northern Ireland. | |
| In second place was the SDLP's Alex Attwood on 3,088, with Gerry Carroll of People Before Profit third on 1,751. | In second place was the SDLP's Alex Attwood on 3,088, with Gerry Carroll of People Before Profit third on 1,751. |
| The by-election was held after Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams resigned earlier this year to become a member of the Republic of Ireland's parliament. | |
| Brian Kingston of the DUP took 1,393 votes, Bill Mainwaring of the UUP 386 and Aaron McIntyre of the Alliance Party 122. | Brian Kingston of the DUP took 1,393 votes, Bill Mainwaring of the UUP 386 and Aaron McIntyre of the Alliance Party 122. |
| The result was seen by many as a foregone conclusion as it is the safest seat in Northern Ireland, and the fourth safest in the UK. | |
| 'Work tirelessly' | |
| The full turnout of 37.53% drops to 37.35% when spoiled votes are excluded. The previous record low was 38.75% at Down North in 1995. | |
| Mr Maskey, who is a sitting assembly member and a long-time Belfast city councillor, was also celebrating his 44th birthday. | |
| He said he was not concerned by the turnout, adding that people had been asked to cast three separate votes just five weeks ago for the Northern Ireland Assembly, local government and AV referendum. | |
| He said: "I am delighted to be elected by the people, they have endorsed Sinn Fein yet again for their Westminster seat." | |
| Accompanied by wife Patricia and his brother, fellow Sinn Fein Legislative Assembly member Alex Maskey, he paid tribute to his predecessor as he vowed to improve the lives of people in a constituency that has some of the most deprived neighbourhoods in Northern Ireland. | |
| "This part of the city is moving forward and I will endeavour to be part of that and work tirelessly to do what I can for the people of west Belfast," he said. | |
| "I take on the proud and strong legacy of Sinn Fein party president Gerry Adams and look forward now to the challenges in front of me." | |
| Mr Adams presented his successor with a special Gaelic hurley stick to mark the result as other supporters urged him to blow out the candles on a birthday cake. | |
| "It's Paul Maskey's night," said the Sinn Fein president. | |
| "Once again Sinn Fein in west Belfast has delivered and we delivered big time." | |
| Sinn Fein's MPs have not take their seats at Westminster because they refuse to swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen. |