Ulster Unionist David Burnside has claimed he was defeated in the South Antrim by-election because of anger over his party's participation in government with Sinn Fein and policing reforms.
In a statement reflecting on his defeat by the DUP candidate, the Rev William McCrea, Mr Burnside said unionist hopes for the Good Friday agreement had been "dashed" by concession after concession to Irish republicanism. "Ulster Unionists registered a protest vote in the normal by-election way."