SF's Gildernew retains seat by four votes

Sinn Féin's Michelle Gildernew has retained her Fermanagh-South Tyrone seat by four votes after a third recount.

Sinn Féin's Michelle Gildernew has retained her Fermanagh-South Tyrone seat by four votes after a third recount.

A second recount in the early hours of this morning put Ms Gildernew, , who is the North's Minister for Agriculture, just two votes ahead of the unionist unity candidate Rodney Connor.

Shortly before 3am, election officials said 21,296 votes had been counted for Mr Connor and 21,288 for Ms Gildernew and, given the difference of just eight votes, a recount was immediately called. The result of that recount put Mr Connor, with 21,295, 10 votes behind Ms Gildernew with 21,305.

The results of a second recount were announced at about 4.30am, putting Ms Gildernew ahead by two votes at 21,300 to Mr Connor's 21,298.

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The third recount showed that of a total poll of 46,083, Ms Gildernew had won 21,304 votes to Mr Connor's 21,300. Ms Gildernew was duly declared elected.

Mr Connor, a former chief executive of Fermanagh District Council, stood as an independent after the DUP and Ulster Conservatives and Unionists (UCU) agreed to run a joint unionist candidate.

A number of senior Sinn Féin figures were at the count centre in Omagh, including party president Gerry Adams. The DUP's Arlene Foster and other senior unionists were also in attendance.

Ms Gildernew said before the final result this afternoon the issue is "probably going to end up in court".

Mr Connor said he would take legal advice.