Sinn Féin supporters were this morning expecting to see their candidate Paul Maskey returned as the new MP for West Belfast, in succession to Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams.
Counting was taking place early this morning after voting in yesterday’s byelection. Six candidates stood in the election with Assembly member Mr Maskey always viewed as a virtual certainty to retain the seat for Sinn Féin.
The other candidates were Alex Attwood of the SDLP, Brian Kingston for the DUP, Bill Manwaring for the Ulster Unionist Party, Aaron McIntyre for Alliance and Gerry Carroll for People Before Profit.
Mr Adams held the seat last year with 71.1 per cent of the vote, compared with 16.4 per cent for Alex Attwood.
