Mid Ulster: Neither the DUP's Rev William McCrea nor Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness were in the count centre in Derry's Templemore Sports Complex yesterday to hear deputy returning officer Ms Patricia Murphy formally announce their election to the new Assembly.
One person who was present was Mr Denis Haughey who saw his party colleague Mr Patsy McGlone taking his place on the rostrum. Mr Haughey, a founder member of the SDLP and a junior minister in the former Executive, said he would take time out to reconsider his political career which suffered a serious setback when he lost his Mid Ulster seat to Mr McGlone.
"That's the way of politics. You take the rough with the smooth. We went into the election with one seat in Mid Ulster and we've ended with that seat. I've heard some talk about the leadership of Mark Durkan but it's not an issue. He's an excellent leader and he's the future of the party," Mr Haughey said.
UUP candidate Mr Billy Armstrong, who also held onto his seat, said he would continue to support his party leader, Mr David Trimble. "The Belfast Agreement is not a perfect agreement, but it is what God has given us to work with and let us all work it," he said.