Simpson ecstatic after Trimble’s crushing loss

DAVID TRIMBLE suffered a crushing Westminster defeat last night to complete the Ulster Unionists’ general election meltdown and leave him staring into the political abyss.

His Upper Bann rival David Simpson seized the seat by a 5,300 majority to give Ian Paisley’s Democratic Unionists the scalp they craved most.

As hoards of ecstatic DUP supporters cheered the victory to the thump of a Lambeg drum outside the count centre in Banbridge, Co Down, Mr Trimble attempted to put a brave face on the shattering loss.

Amid inevitable questions about his future he said: “I’m going to consult broadly among senior colleagues. We will arrive at a collective decision and then see where we will go from there.”

But for the new MP his success could not have tasted sweeter after a number of attempts to unseat his bitter opponent.

Flanked by his proud wife Elaine, the Gospel singer insisted the Ulster Unionists face some tough thinking over their future strategy.

Even though he refused to say the UUP leader was finished, he declared: “They have to make decisions after this stunning result.”

Just as the DUP thought it couldn’t get any better, Mr Paisley arrived to top off the celebrations.

The DUP supremo had no doubts however that Mr Trimble was a spent force.

He said: “He should resign and he should apologise to the people of Northern Ireland that he took the wrong turning and he regrets the awful state we are in now.”

As the day unfolded it had become clear that Mr Trimble’s grasp of the seat was slipping.

By the time he arrived to face the inevitable, crowds of the DUP faithful had gathered outside in jubilant mood.

For so long the great Houdini of Ulster politics, Mr Trimble had finally been toppled. Ignoring the heavy drizzle that fell to complete the bleak picture for the Ulster Unionist chief, they waited patiently to taunt the man they so dearly wanted to oust.

“Get the Jobfinder tonight,” the cry went up from one woman.

Another man shouted: “Your head’s back in the sand now David.”

But apart from a few boos and jeers, they fell silent as Mr Trimble emerged from his car, blinking.

He looked around as if trying to grasp the reality of the situation, before heading in for the declaration with his wife Daphne.

The result that awaited him was 16,679 votes for Mr Simpson compared with 11,381 who remained loyal to him. In his speech, Mr Trimble insisted the North was in a better situation because of his party’s work.