SF's Maskey takes West Belfast seat

Sinn Féin's Paul Maskey has been elected MP for West Belfast, retaining the seat formerly held by party president Gerry Adams…

Sinn Féin's Paul Maskey has been elected MP for West Belfast, retaining the seat formerly held by party president Gerry Adams.

The turnout of 37.5 per cent was the lowest on record for the constituency.

Mr Maskey took just over 70 per cent of the vote.

He said he was very grateful to be elected and would strive to represent "each and every constituent within West Belfast".

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"I will work on the Shankill, in Andersonstown, Suffolk, the Blacks Road, in Ballymurphy, the Lower Falls and the Colin area and every other single part of this constituency."

Mr Maskey added: "I take on the proud and strong legacy of Sinn Féin party president Gerry Adams, TD and look forward now to the challenges in front of me."

The other candidates were Alex Attwood of the SDLP, Brian Kingston for the DUP, Bill Manwaring for the Ulster Unionist Party, Aaron McIntyre for Alliance and Gerry Carroll for People Before Profit.

Mr Adams held the seat last year with 71.1 per cent of the vote, compared with 16.4 per cent for Alex Attwood.