DUP claims East Londonderry

Gregory Campbell is the new MP for East Londonderry

The Democratic Unionist Party's Gregory Campbell has unseated Ulster Unionist William Ross in East Londonderry.

Mr Campbell polled 12, 813 votes and Mr Ross polled 10, 912.

Both were anti-Agreement candidates and it was always likely to be a close contest.

Speaking after the result, Gregory Campbell said: "There were many people in the past month who declared East Londonderry could not be won for the DUP.

"Many others said we couldn't win but there is a God in heaven, and the British Government need to understand the votes of the people.

"I have said for many months if not years that the unionist community have been betrayed.

"They now have someone to represent them in this constituency and I will not be silenced by dirty tricks, by lies and by deceit that I was faced with throughout this campaign.

"I want to thank almighty God for a tremendous victory. This constituency have given their answer to Tony Blair and to David Trimble and it's still no surrender."

East Londonderry result

Gregory Campbell DUP 12, 813

Willie Ross UUP 10, 912

John Dallat SDLP 8, 298

Francis Brolly SF 6,221

Yvonne Boyle Alliance 1,625

Mr Campbell is currently the regional development minister in the Northern Ireland Executive.

In 1997, Mr Ross had a majority of 3,704 over Mr Campbell and the DUP claimed to have made further inroads since then.