SDLP loses out in North’s European election

The SDLP has suffered a disastrous result in the North’s European election, with the party losing the seat held by John Hume for 25 years.

Mr Hume had stepped aside for the election, but his replacement, Belfast Lord Mayor Martin Morgan, could only attract less than 90,000 votes.

He was beaten on the third count last night by the UUP’s Jim Nicholson, who benefited from DUP transfers.

The DUP’s Jim Allister emulated his predecessor, Ian Paisley, by topping the poll, with Sinn Féin’s Bairbre de Brun continuing the party’s electoral success by clinching the other seat.