East Belfast: Alliance takes first seat at Westminster

Naomi Long took East Belfast for Alliance

The Alliance Party's Naomi Long has unseated Peter Robinson as MP for East Belfast.

Ms Long polled 12,839 votes ahead of Mr Robinson with 11,306.

In third place was Ulster Conservative and Unionists - New Force candidate Trevor Ringland with 7,305 votes.

David Vance of the Traditional Unionist Voice polled 1,856, Sinn Fein's Niall Donnelly, 817, and the SDLP's Mary Muldoon, 365.

"We fought a positive campaign that was for something not against something.

"I see this as a victory for the Alliance Party and a victory for the people, of East Belfast," Mrs Long said.

"It's not about somebody losing, it's about somebody winning."

Mr Robinson, Northern Ireland's first minister, said: "I have a job to do and I have a job to complete... I will continue to carry out that important work.

"We will ensure that the people of Northern Ireland have a bright and better future."