The Ulster Unionist candidate who was narrowly defeated by a Sinn Féin opponent in the recent Westminster elections has launched his High Court bid to overturn the result.
MrJames Cooper, the Ulster Unionist candidate who lost by 53 votes to Ms Michelle Gildernew in Fermanagh and South Tyrone, lodged papers in the Belfast court seeking to have the result overturned and a by-election called.
Mr Cooper says that a polling station close to the border at Garrison was forced to stay open beyond the 10 pm closing time by threats from republicans.
He maintains that if invalid votes were disallowed he would now be the MP for the seat, which he was trying to defend for the Ulster Unionists following the retirement of Mr Ken Maginnis.
Lawyers acting for solicitor Mr Cooper today also lodged a £3,500 security against costs with the court, as required under the Representation of the People Act, under which he is bringing the case.
The High Court in Belfast confirmed the papers had been lodged for the case, which is not expected to go ahead before the end of August.
PA