An Ulster Unionist Party bid to oust a Sinn Féin MP from her seat over alleged polling station intimidation was today rejected by a judge in Belfast's High Court.
Mr James Cooper, the defeated UUP candidate in the Fermanagh/South Tyrone Westminster contest, brought the action after claiming votes were cast for his Sinn Féin rival Ms Michelle Gildernew after the ballot boxes should have been closed.
But in a judgment issued today Lord Chief Justice Sir Robert Carswell insisted any disturbances at the polling station in Garrison, Co Fermanagh, were isolated and had only a small effect on the outcome.
He said: "We therefore determine that Michelle Gildernew was duly elected as Member of Parliament for the constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone."
PA