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Constituency Profile: Sinn Féin defeats SDLP in its Foyle heartland after recount

In the biggest shock of the election in the north, Sinn Féin's Elisha McCallion won the seat from the SDLP's Mark Durkan with a majority of 169 votes following a recount.

Sinn Féin pulled off a sensational scalp by defeating the SDLP in its heartland.

Amid scenes of disbelief at the Foyle count centre, Elisha McCallion - herself shaking with adrenaline - beat outgoing MP Mark Durkan by a slim margin.

For a full list of results click here.

It was a historic and ground-breaking performance in what was the SDLP's safest seat and it invovled a recount.

The nationalist party had held the constituency since it was created in 1983, for many years under its former leader John Hume, a revered figure in Derry.

Three of its six leaders - including current leader Colum Eastwood - are from the city.

Sinn Féin wins in Foyle. Elisha McCallion has taken it from the SDLP after Mark Durkan held the seat for 12 years. pic.twitter.com/xdvwvCjj3i — BBC Newsline (@bbcnewsline) June 9, 2017

An emotional Mr Durkan, himself a former party leader, apologised to SDLP founder Mr Hume "if any shortcomings on my part have led us to any sense of a dent in the truth for which he endeavoured".

"I take any responsibility I have for this result," he said.

Sinn Féin chief Martin McGuinness's widow Bernie travelled to join in the celebrations, along with his successor as the party's Stormont leader Michelle O'Neill.

Ms McCallion (35) a popular former mayor of Derry, claimed during the campaign to be a new voice for a new era.

On taking her seat, she said: "There's partying to be done."

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