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NI elections 2023: SDLP councillor retains seat after recount

SDLP sdlp councillor martin reillySDLP
Mr Reilly, a former mayor of Derry, said he looks forward to the official declaration of the result

A Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) councillor has retained his seat in Derry and Strabane following a recount, it is understood.

In June, Alliance lodged a petition in the High Court, relating to the result of the Waterside area of Londonderry in May's council election.

Phillip McKinney lost his seat by just 49 votes to the SDLP's Martin Reilly.

But following a count on Wednesday, it is understood Mr Reilly has held onto the seat by about 10 votes.

The result will not be officially declared until the election court meets again next Thursday.

Martin Reilly and Philip McKinney shake hands at Foyle arena
The SDLP's Martin Reilly and Phillip McKinney of the Alliance Party shook hands before counting began

Mr Reilly said he was delighted "the democratic process has now been fulfilled".

"I am immensely grateful to everyone who has supported me and will work hard over the next four years to repay their faith," he said.

Mr Reilly, a former mayor of Derry, said he looks forward to the official declaration of the result.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood welcomed the result of the recount.

He said Mr Reilly's election was testament to him working incredibly hard for people from every community.

boxes of election papers at watersdie recount in derry
Counting on Wednesday began at stage seven

In June, Alliance had questioned why its candidate was eliminated when there were still about 150 votes left to be transferred.

It was alerted to the potential error by John Cartwright, a self-confessed election enthusiast, and then the party lodged an election petition with the High Court.

He said he was scanning through the election results when he noticed the issue and contacted candidates in the Waterside district electoral area to raise his concerns.

On Monday, the court ruled that the count should resume this week.

Counting got underway at 10:00 BST in the Foyle Arena on Wednesday, starting at stage seven of the count.

Alliance Party leader Naomi Long subsequently said she had it confirmed by both the council and the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland that there was an error in the count.

The Alliance Party lost its only two councillors on Derry City and Strabane District Council - Rachael Ferguson and Mr McKinney - in the election in May.