Assembly election 2016: Bradley delighted with DUP's success in North Belfast

DUP leader Arlene Foster celebrates with candidates and supporters after the party retained its three seats in North Belfast. Pic Colm Lenaghan, Pacemaker

Successful DUP candidate Paula Bradley says the party's vote management was the key to its success in North Belfast.

The former Newtownabbey councillor and her party colleagues William Humphrey and Nelson McCausland all retained their seats at Stormont.

“I’m absolutely delighted - exhausted but delighted,” Ms Bradley said. “I topped the poll in terms of the unionist vote, followed by William and Nelson. I passed the quota when Lesley Carroll (UUP) was eliminated. William also made the quota and Nelson was elected below quota, so it was a great result for us.

“We managed our vote really well. We put a lot of thought and hard work into managing our vote in order to get all three in. We knew it was going to be tight, so we’re delighted with the result.”

Also elected in North Belfast were Sinn Fein’s Gerry Kelly, who topped the poll, and Caral Ni Chuilin, and the SDLP’s Nichola Mallon.