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.