Ian Paisley changes Twitter bio to claim '90.6 per cent support from recall petition'

Ian Paisley changed his Twitter biography this morning to claim that he received "90.6 per cent support" in Westminster's first ever recall petition.

The North Antrim MP narrowly avoided a by-election when it was announced in the early hours that only 7,099 people had signed a petition to unseat him - 444 short of the required number.

The son of DUP founder Ian Paisley - who is currenly suspended from the party - would have had to step down if 10 per cent of the constituency's electorate had signed.

The petition was triggered after he was suspended from the House of Commons for 30 sitting days for failing to declare two family holidays to Sri Lanka paid for by the country's controversial regime, for which he later lobbied.

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Northern Ireland's chief electoral officer Virginia McVea announced the outcome of the recall petition at around 1.25am after a count that began at midnight.

Political opponents claimed the result reflected a lack of appetite for a by-election which Mr Paisley would be strong favourite to win, rather than an endorsement of his actions.

Sinn Féin also criticised the fact that only three centres were opened for people to sign the six-week petition.

However, Mr Paisley's biography on his Twitter account was today changed to read: "Freeman, City of London. MP for North Antrim DUP 2010-15, 15-17 & 17- present returned with highest recorded vote in NI. 90.6% support from recall petition."

Read more:

• Ian Paisley formally suspended from Parliament 
• Video: Emotional Ian Paisley apologises for 'total failure' over rules breach
• Ian Paisley has made headlines before - for all the wrong reasons
• What did the lavish trips cost?
• Undated selfie 'taken at 11th night bonfire' offered as proof Paisley was not in Sri Lanka