DUP readmit Ian Paisley to party as North Antrim MP holds on to Westminster seat following recall petition

• Video report by UTV Deputy Political Editor Tracey Magee

Ian Paisley has said the people of North Antrim have given him an "endorsement" after he held on to his Westminster seat following a recall petition.

Mr Paisley would have been ousted as an MP if 10% of the electorate in his North Antrim constituency - 7,543 voters - signed the petition. In the event 7,099 people signed it (9.4%) falling just short of the threshold to force a by-election.

"I actually feel it is a very significant vote because everyone had written me off", the North Antrim MP said.

"Everyone said to me there is going to be a by-election, prepare yourself, the fact and the matter is that the people saw through this."

The petition device, created following the Westminster expenses scandal, was initiated after Mr Paisley was banned from the House of Commons for 30 sitting days for failing to declare two 2013 family holidays paid for by the Sri Lankan government.

A parliamentary watchdog found in August that a year after the luxury holidays, Mr Paisley lobbied then prime minister David Cameron not to support a UN probe into alleged Sri Lankan human rights abuses.

The long-standing Democratic Unionist - whose late father the Reverend Ian Paisley founded the party - is currently suspended from the DUP pending its own internal investigation into his conduct.

Three centres were opened in North Antrim for the last six weeks to give voters the opportunity to sign the petition. Constituents were also able to put their name to the petition via post.

Ms McVea communicated the outcome to Speaker John Bercow's office in London before making the announcement. Mr Paisley, who was not there in person, was informed by text message.

Ulster Unionist leader Robin Swann said it was clear there was no public appetite for a by-election.

"I respect that outcome," he said.

"However, I would caution Ian Paisley not to see this as some sort of victory or endorsement of his actions in acting as a paid advocate for a foreign government and bringing North Antrim and the House of Commons into disrepute.

He continued: "Rather I would urge him to use the time that he has been suspended from Parliament and the DUP, to reflect on the severity of what he has done and the embarrassment he has brought on Northern Ireland. He should demonstrate some humility."

Mr Paisley had been suspended from the DUP pending an investigation into his conduct.

On Thursday afternoon, the party confirmed in a statement that it had re-admitted Mr Paisley to the party.

In a statement the DUP said: "Mr Paisley was readmitted to membership of the party following a suspension of fifty-seven days and upon re-admission he is subject to a number of conditions including a ban on holding office within the party for twelve months.

"The Party will be making no further comment on these matters."

Mr Paisley's Commons ban has left current Prime Minister Theresa May short of one of her 10 DUP MP confidence and supply allies during a period that could witness several crucial Brexit votes.

In the wake of the watchdog report, Mr Paisley apologised for what he described as an "unintentional failure" to declare the holidays.

In the 2017 general election, Mr Paisley retained his North Antrim seat with a landslide 20,000-plus majority, securing nearly 59% of the vote.