Trimble re-elected as First Minister

UUP leader David Trimble has been re-elected as the North’s First Minister after three members of the non-aligned Alliance Party succeeded in being re-designated as ‘unionists’ this morning.

Mr Trimble received 100% backing from the nationalist side and 51% support from unionists thanks to the re-designation of David Ford, Eileen Bell and Sean Neeson.

SDLP leader-in-waiting Mark Durkan will serve as Deputy First Minister following today’s successful vote.

The vote took place in a special session of the Assembly.

Mr Trimble told the people of Northern Ireland: "I look forward to delivering the quality of administration that you have every right to expect."

Scuffles broke out between anti-agreement Unionists and pro-agreement supporters outside the chamber as Mr Trimble and Mr Durkan prepared for a press conference after the vote.

Pushing and shoving took place after anti-agreement unionists shouted "cheats" at the two men as they prepared to face journalists.

The DUP's Ian Paisley accused members of Sinn Fein of punching DUP delegates.

He also called the vote a "carefully orchestrated act by Sinn Fein and leading members of the SDLP".

He accused Sinn Fein of "cheating, rigging and deceiving".