dou- beattie, ulster unionist party. doug beattie, ulster unionist party.arty. and owen tennyson, alliance. - doug beattie, ulster unionist party. i and owen tennyson, alliance. thank you. thank you. firstly, i would like to thank the returning officer and or the counter staff for the work done in the last couple of days and during the election. it is quite clear the electorate have now spoken. democracy is about respecting the democratic will of the people and we now have to move to respect the democratic will of the people, get the executive back—up and going again, get the assembly going and get money to people who today on a friday will be deciding what their children can and cannot eat over the weekend and whether they can heat their homes over the weekend. that is the task we has assembly members now face. before i conclude, i want to thank my election team. i want to thank liam who came very close. we have sent out a clear message that people want power—sharing to work on people to work together. i always say this but we put a lot of pressure on our

the unionist vote has fractured, we have seen other smaller unionist party is the tuv doing well at thehe dup, but we have also seen an increase in support for the cross—party alliance, the cross community alliance party, and that perhaps it suggests that some people are now operating in northern ireland is not on this traditional identity issues unionist or nationalist issues, we are actually seeing more people make are actually seeing more people make a cross community choice, perhaps in opposition to those two main parties and the way they have disrupted politics here, the way things have been neglected in the last few years as stormont has not been able to operate. people opting for that middle ground perhaps indicates a shift in northern irish politics in a different direction, but certainly northern ireland looks like it is taking a significant step with sinn fein being the biggest party. thank ou ve fein being the biggest party. thank you very much- _ i'm joined by katy hayward, professor of political sociology, at queen's university belfast. lots to talk about. let's start with

unionists have had that sense of losina. ., ~ ,, unionists have had that sense of losina. . ~' ,, , unionistss have had that sense of losina. ., ~' ,, , . ., losing. ok, thank you very much for the moment- _ losing. ok, thank you very much for the moment- i _ losing. ok, thank you very much for the moment. i know— losing. ok, thank you very much for the moment. i know you _ losing. ok, thank you very much for the moment. i know you will - losing. ok, thank you very much for the moment. i know you will stick i the moment. i know you will stick around to talk to us brian rowan there. let�*s assess where we are so far, a day and a half in discount without ireland correspondent chris page. applause the political ground in northern ireland is shifting. that is generating delight for new assembly members and disappointment for the party which has won the last five elections. the race for the final few seats tends to be very tight but the picture is clear. a surge in support for the cross—community alliance party and a drop in votes for the democratic unionists, and sinn fein is on course to be the

the democratic unionist pa has delivery. the democratic unionist party has lost _ delivery.c unionist party has lost a — delivery. the democratic unionist party has lost a fifth _ delivery. the democratic unionist party has lost a fifth of— delivery. the democratic unionist party has lost a fifth of its - party has lost a fifth of its support. a strong focus of the campaign was opposition to the brexit trade border with the rest of the uk. the dup says it will block the uk. the dup says it will block the formation of a devolved government until checks on goods arriving in northern ireland are scrapped. the traditional unionist voice says the dup has been too weak on the issue. h0 voice says the dup has been too weak on the issue-— on the issue. no point denying it. it has been _ on the issue. no point denying it. it has been very _ on the issue. no point denying it. it has been very difficult. - on the issue. no point denying it. it has been very difficult. it - on the issue. no point denying it. it has been very difficult. it has . it has been very difficult. it has been a

talk to us about your past the ulster unionist party. you have l the ulster unionist party.and work around those issues but you seem to have been squeezed. some of your votes gone to the centre ground alliance party? tells what is happening. i alliance party? tells what is happening-— alliance party? tells what is ha eninu. ~ ., , alliance party? tells what is ha eninu. ~ . , , happening. i think we have been this used and we — happening. i think we have been this used and we have _ happening. i think we have been this used and we have hardline _ happening. i think we have been this used and we have hardline unionists| used and we have hardline unionists are going more from the dup towards the traditional unionist voice and on the other side the centre ground about is going to alliance rather than to us. i think what we have to do is hold our nerve and stick with the message that we are a progressive inclusive positive unionist party and the big difference between us and the alliance and centre ground as we are further atomic firmly for another nine staying in the union and

unionist you feel bewildered _ kingdom. unionist you feel bewildered by _ kingdom.u feel _ bewildered by what is happening they are struggling to come to terms with sinn fein being the largest outline. you've got to remember that sinn fein was the pariah party whose words could not be broadcast on tv or radio. and then it has become the largest party. that doesn't mean then united ireland is on the corner by any means and it is by some days, quiz a symbolic victory but it is a victory that matters and shows unionism in political decline in those days of unionist northern ireland are over. whether takes as long term i think is open to question and sinn fein cannot get a border poll on and the irish union. sinn fein... if they come south of the body sinn fein. .. if they come south of the bod j , ., sinn fein. .. if they come south of the bodj , ., sinn fein. .. if they come south of the odj, , sinn fein. .. if they come south of the odj, , ., the body you can see the momentum buildin: for the body you can see the momentum building for such _ the body you can see the

but the democratic unionist party has lost about a - unionist party has lost about a fifth of its supportits campaign was its opposition to the brexit trade border with the rest of the uk. the dup says it will block the formation of a devolved government until checks on goods arriving in northern ireland are scrapped. but the traditional unionist voice says the dup has been too weak on the issue. we unionist voice says the dup has been too weak on the issue.— too weak on the issue. we will acce -t too weak on the issue. we will accept the _ too weak on the issue. we will accept the outcome _ too weak on the issue. we will accept the outcome of - too weak on the issue. we will accept the outcome of the - too weak on the issue. we will - accept the outcome of the election. however, our position remains that we need to remove the long shadow of the protocol that is inhibiting our ability to operate and function properly within the political institutions. and the sooner that happens the sooner we will be in a position to move forward.- happens the sooner we will be in a position to move forwa

are unionists so we are interested.aumatic moment for unionists, this is a party that was very closely linked to the ira, it not only defends ira, unionists would think the ira campaign was terrorism when it was ongoing on, but in england, scotland and wales, almost all politicians thought it was terrorism. even more significantly than that, the nationalist catholic population on the island of ireland never gave sinn fein a majority vote and were overwhelmingly rejected in the 1980s and 90s when they were contesting elections. so it is a difficult moment a party like that has come top... at moment a party like that has come to... �* , ., moment a party like that has come to... ~ , ., moment a party like that has come top... a party that has focused on urel top... a party that has focused on purely political — top... a party that has focused on purely political means _ top... a party that has focused on purely political means for - top... a party that has focused on purely political means for quite i top... a party that

that's very much a similar message to the dup and unionists.t is to get on with things and make this place work for everyone across all communities, and that is very much for the dup is focused on. jeffrey donaldson has said he is concerned that we can't do that, and there is a lot of agreement across unionism, and the dup, we can make this place to work to the maximum, but not if we don't get the problems of the protocol result. if the protocol is not fully in praise, but it is not get diverse in terms of regulation, just and inevitably will happen and once that happens it will create more problems in terms of internal trade. we have problems with medicines, not being able to come here, a huge range of issues here that need to get results. unionists have been frustrated because these concerns are not being taken seriously. jeffrey donaldson at the very late stage, and i think reluctantly, how to escalate the matter to try to send a clear message to borisjohnson and to the british government that this has to be sorted out. because it is causing

— that will be reassuring to unionists? . , ~ ., unionists?? i actually think that the longer they stay — unionists? i actually think that the longer they stay out _ unionists? i actually think that the longer they stay out of _ unionists? i actually think that the longer they stay out of the - longer they stay out of the power—sharing arrangement, the less secure the constitutional position becomes. if people are seeing that the local government doesn't work and that the power—sharing government, there is an inability to make it work, then they look elsewhere. they don't look to westminster, only yesterday nigel dodds and gordon lyons from the dup were saying westminster doesn't care about us and there's plenty of evidence to say that that's the case, so what will people do? they will look to a constitutional change and the only constitutional change will be in an all ireland form. so i think that if ever sharing works, it works for the union, far more than it works against it. figs works for the union, far more than it works against it.— it w

tuv, another anti—protocol unionist party has one.are the figures for you. a quick calculation, around 20 seats left to declare. let's assess where we are with this election and what might happen next with the commentator brian rowan, author of the book political purgatory. i was very interested when i read that book on what you wrote about the middle ground here in northern ireland politics, the alliance party, which has done exceedingly well in these elections, with the possibility of a couple more seats yet still. how influential will that be?- couple more seats yet still. how influential will that be? well, we saw at the _ influential will that be? well, we saw at the beginning _ influential will that be? well, we saw at the beginning of - influential will that be? well, we saw at the beginning of that - influential will that be? well, we | saw at the beginning of that surge through alliance through a series of elections in 2019 that a third pillar within our politics becoming bigger and becoming more significant. there is the pos

the ulster unionist party and nine, the sdlp and six. another anti—political party like the dup on one. there is also one independent candidate who has been elected and one from people over profit services the state of play with just 12 seats left to be declared on three of them here at the belfast account and of course the camps going on and jordanstown as well. —— in magherafelt. it was a short time ago that we heard from sinn fein cosmic leader short while ago the leader of the party. in magherafelt michelle 0'neill was emphasising the need to get back to work at stormont and said the people couldn't wait. today represents a very significant moment of change. it's a defining moment for our politics and for our people. today ushers in a new era, which i believe presents us all with an opportunity to reimagine relationships in this society, on the basis of fairness, on the basis of equality and on the basis of socialjustice. irrespective of religious, political or social backgrounds, my commitment is to make politics work. my commitment

it is hard to tell but i can't see the unionists— is hard to tell but i can't see the unionists gettinginto power- is hard to tell but i can't see thel unionists getting into power with sinn fein— unionists getting into power with sinn fein being _ unionists getting into power with sinn fein being the _ unionists getting into power with sinn fein being the largest- unionists getting into power with| sinn fein being the largest party. the election— sinn fein being the largest party. the election may— sinn fein being the largest party. the election may have _ sinn fein being the largest party. the election may have deliveredl sinn fein being the largest party. i the election may have delivered an historic result, but governing northern ireland is always a difficult balance. it looks like old disagreements will prevent much progress for now. danjohnson, bbc news, belfast. we can speak to dan who is at stormont for us now. some very difficult issues to be resolved. how long have they got to do it? if there is no agreement in the next six months we could potentially be looking at another ele

are not going to go back in, unionists are not going to go back in. and _ unionists are not going toein have actually not gained significantly in this election, they are on the same seat tally— this election, they are on the same seat tally they were before, the issue _ seat tally they were before, the issue is — seat tally they were before, the issue is the dup, the main unionist party, _ issue is the dup, the main unionist party, have — issue is the dup, the main unionist party, have gone backwards, and they would _ party, have gone backwards, and they would argue _ party, have gone backwards, and they would argue that the vote share is still about— would argue that the vote share is still about 40% voting for nationalist parties, 40% voting for unionist— nationalist parties, 40% voting for unionist parties, so northern ireland — unionist parties, so northern ireland is— unionist parties, so northern ireland is in that stalemate situation which it has been many times— situation which it has been many times before. my guess would be the dup won't— times before. my guess would be the

i think the unionists are understandablyi the unionists are understandably concerned about the way theol has been working, and we should be too because the treaty itself provides for its revision and that has not been successfully concluded, and it needs to be. it needs to be revised because it was always agree that northern ireland remained a fundamental part of the united kingdom. but fundamental part of the united kinudom. �* ., , fundamental part of the united kinadom. �* ., , ., ., kingdom. but eu leaders have warned the uk it risks — kingdom. but eu leaders have warned the uk it risks a _ kingdom. but eu leaders have warned the uk it risks a trade _ kingdom. but eu leaders have warned the uk it risks a trade war— kingdom. but eu leaders have warned the uk it risks a trade war if— kingdom. but eu leaders have warned the uk it risks a trade war if it - the uk it risks a trade war if it scraps the protocol. as the international impasse continues, many people on northern ireland are pointing to the dire effects of devolution standing still stop hospital waiting times are the longest

but the democratic unionist party has lost about a fifth of its support.ign was its opposition to the brexit trade border with the rest of the uk, known as the northern ireland protocol. the dup says it'll block the formation of a devolved government until checks on goods are scrapped. but it's shed votes to a more hard—line party — the traditional unionist voice, which claims the dup has been too weak on the issue. we will accept the outcome of the election. however, our position remains that we need to remove the long shadow of the protocol that is inhibiting our ability to operate and function properly within the political institutions, and the sooner that happens, the sooner we'll be in a position to move forward. under the power—sharing rules at stormont, unionists and nationalists have to agree to run northern ireland jointly before ministers can take up their positions. but the politicians who've been elected are unlikely to get to govern any time soon. the dup is even less likely to go into a coalition now that sinn fein is in front. after the disa

the ulster unionist party, the liberal unionist party, is on fire.elected from the traditional unionist voice, also anti—protocol. one independent. and now i think that has changed just as i'm speaking to you. sinn fein and the dop on 19,1 i'm speaking to you. sinn fein and the dop on 19, i believe. sometimes hard to keep up with the very latest developments as i am talking to you. those numbers changing all the time. some of thejeers those numbers changing all the time. some of the jeers recently have been for the alliance party. reynolds was elected in east belfast and patrick brown in southdown. he didn't get in last time, he has this time. as me is —— with me is peter mcreynolds. you must be happy so far, as alliance. ~ you must be happy so far, as alliance-— you must be happy so far, as alliance. ~ , ., ., alliance. where can you go next? i don't know _ alliance. where can you go next? i don't know where _ alliance. where can you go next? i don't know where we _ alliance. where can you go next? i don't know where we can - alliance. where can you

they don't identify as either unionists or nationalists.can tell you that is really quite significant. forso i can tell you that is really quite significant. for so long, i can tell you that is really quite significant. forso long, politics in northern ireland has a box people into two traditions, nationalist or unionist. as one of my guy said to me earlier, it is quite clear now that northern ireland is about more than just two tribes. haw that northern ireland is about more than just two tribes.— that northern ireland is about more than just two tribes. how much do we know about whether _ than just two tribes. how much do we know about whether an _ than just two tribes. how much do we know about whether an executive - than just two tribes. how much do we know about whether an executive will| know about whether an executive will be formed? i know about whether an executive will be formed? ., ., ., , ., be formed? i want to read you estimate from _ be formed? i want to read you estimate from the _ be formed? i want to read you estimate from

the ulster unionist party want a i the ulster unionist party want a soft landing, _ the ulster unionist want to come away. but they are willing to _ want to come away. but they are willing to let — want to come away. but they are willing to let the _ want to come away. but they are willing to let the assembly- want to come away. but they are willing to let the assembly go i want to come away. but they are i willing to let the assembly go and the whole — willing to let the assembly go and the whole good _ willing to let the assembly go and the whole good friday— willing to let the assembly go and the whole good friday agreementj willing to let the assembly go and i the whole good friday agreement go. and the _ the whole good friday agreement go. and the leader— the whole good friday agreement go. and the leader of— the whole good friday agreement go. and the leader of the _ the whole good friday agreement go. and the leader of the dup— the whole good friday agreement go. and the leader of the dup the - and the leader of the dup the largest— and the leader of the dup the largest unionist

party which is neither nationalist nor unionist. so there are many liberal unionists who in recent years have been abandoning the 2 main union as parties. partly because those parties have ended up on the wrong side of so many debates. most importantly, the debate around the european union, many in the union community, actually voted to remain and the u. r. support of maintaining good relations with the you are not attracted by the very negative approach, especially of the largest union party, the d u p to the european union. and how is the union as a community likely to react to action, feigns 1st minister. it remains to be seen, but i think there will be huge pressure on the democratic unionist party to go into government which and feign and to acceptation fame 1st minister sion fain. after all has been willing to go into government with the d. u. p. as deputy 1st minister in successive administrations for the d u p to refuse then to take up the deputy 1st minister role and going to government which insane would be an extraordinar

he has been standing on a liberal unionist platform.so waiting to find out if the sdlp leader at stormont will be returning. i'm hearing that some of the unionist transfers are going to the alliance rather than her, so she could be in a bit of difficulty which would be very disappointing for the sdlp. we will be back here soon, keeping you right up to date. for now, back to the studio. let's get some more detailed analysis of the results so far in northern ireland. we can cross to lewis goodall at the touch—screen. lewis. as everyone has been saying, this is the first time in terms of seats that a nationalist party is topping the polls in the northern irish elections. this was designed in 1920, designed not to do so. have a look here. sinn fein in terms of first preference share of the vote at 29%. topping the poll not because they are doing spectacularly well. i've added a percentage point. it's because of the dgp, who last time these seats were fought in 2017, they were on top, just about. just about beat sinn fein. their support has

the 1st minister has always been a unionist. will duncan morrow is professor of politics that all state university. he says there are 3 issues to consider after the election on one side and a very narrow group, the unionist population. some of it is very exercise by the consequence of the protocol and by the. ready brag debates still, and how that was worked out in northern ireland. but there are minority. there is another group probably within the nation with her quite came to get the symbolic way of seeing champagne at the top of the pile. and even though it doesn't actually change the arrangement very much, but it is a big symbolic victory. and then there is the group. and that may be the biggest growing group in this election of people who actually we need to find a compromise here. but in the meantime, there are lots and lots of practical issues, and these are getting worse because the economic situation thinks that after the war and ukraine, it may be that if you're looking at numbers rather than symbol, the biggest winner

party which is neither nationalist nor unionist. so there are many liberal unionists who in recent years have been abandoning the 2 main union as parties. partly because those parties have ended up on the wrong side of so many debates. most importantly, the debate around the european union, many in the union community, actually voted to remain. and the you are supportive of maintaining a good relations with you and are not attracted by the very negative approach, especially of the largest union party, the d u p to the european union. and how is the union as a community likely to react to action, feigns 1st minister it remains to be seen, but i think there will be huge pressure on the democratic unionist party to go into government which and feign and to acceptation fame. first minister sion fame after all has been willing to go into government with the d as deputy 1st minister in successive administrations. for the d u. p to refuse, then to take up the deputy 1st minister role and going to government, which insane would be an extrao

nationalist or unionist.te clear now that northern ireland is about more than two tribes. and just beefy at this point how do we know about whether an executive will be formed? well, ijust want whether an executive will be formed? well, i just want to read for you whether an executive will be formed? well, ijust want to read for you in a statement that has come from the northern ireland secretary brandon lewis. he has congratulated everyone elected and he is saying, i encourage the parties to form an executive as soon possible foot of the people of northern ireland deserve a stable and unaccountable local government that delivers on issues that matter most to them, he says. he went on, let me read a little bit more of his message was that the electorate delivered a number of messages on thursday. they were clear that they want a fully functioning devolved government in northern ireland. they want the issues around the protocol which i mentioned to you addressed and they want politics to work better. so he is

the majority _ unionist majority in perpetuity. the majority is — unionist majority in perpetuity.w for a number of elections, and now on the cusp of the first— elections, and now on the cusp of the first time i nationalist are republican leading the executive in the north— republican leading the executive in the north is hugely significant and it's more — the north is hugely significant and it's more than symbolism it's a veited — it's more than symbolism it's a veiled message about equality, it says to _ veiled message about equality, it says to the world, there is nojob, there _ says to the world, there is nojob, there is— says to the world, there is nojob, there is no— says to the world, there is nojob, there is no role that is off—limits for anyone _ there is no role that is off—limits foranyone. i there is no role that is off—limits for anyone. i think that's a hugely, hugely— for anyone. i think that's a hugely, hugely significant moment. the dp can if they did _ hugely significant moment. the dp can if they did indeed _ hugely significant moment. the dp can if they did inde

~ ., your message to unionists who right now...?~ ., . your message to unionists who right now...? from sinn _ now. . . ? who are hearing from marylin mcdonald from sinn fein _ now. . . ? who are hearing from marylin mcdonald from sinn fein and - now. . . ? who are hearing from marylin mcdonald from sinn fein and michelle| mcdonald from sinn fein and michelle o'neill. mcdonald from sinn fein and michelle 0'neill. michelle 0'neill sinn fein's northern ireland leader. both reiterating their call on the dup, the democratic unionist party, the second biggest after sinn fein won the most seats in the northern ireland assembly. both calling on the dup to participate in the stormont executive. the dup of course have said that that participation is dependent on reform of the northern ireland protocol that governs post—brexit trade. we will be back with my colleague annita mcveigh at the top of the hourfor more analysis annita mcveigh at the top of the hour for more analysis there from northern ireland. in the meantime, the president of sri la nka lanka has declared a new state of emergency

, — northern ireland and in the view of unionists, weakened northern ireland '5 position— unionists,5 position in the uk. it is for the uk westminster government to negotiate any changes to the protocol _ negotiate any changes to the protocol with the european union and this morning, the deputy prime minister— this morning, the deputy prime minister dominic raab said the government would fix the protocol, we've _ government would fix the protocol, we've also — government would fix the protocol, we've also heard from the northern ireland _ we've also heard from the northern ireland secretary of state brandon lewis _ ireland secretary of state brandon lewis this — ireland secretary of state brandon lewis this morning. if you look at the implementation of the protocol, there's a series of areas there that weren't just left vague, but some were unresolved. that's why the grace periods were put in place and they've still not been resolved. and the eu has shown no flexibility. and it's very disappointing that what we're hearing is that the eu is already saying it won't show any flexibility

unionist newspaper saying stormont stalemate. steps and he is warning here and this takes us to the question of where we might go after the selection and culling last night for a meeting of all unionist leaders to discuss electoral fallout and warning his party will not go back into the executive until it is around the northern ireland protocol are resolved to their satisfaction and that was a big, big over whether or not they will be in assembly functioning count here after this is concluded. flit functioning count here after this is concluded. . ., , ,, ., , concluded. of course sinn fein as i mentioned — concluded. of course sinn fein as i mentioned once _ concluded. of course sinn fein as i mentioned once as _ concluded. of course sinn fein as i mentioned once as a _ concluded. of course sinn fein as i mentioned once as a united - concluded. of course sinn fein as i | mentioned once as a united ireland and i spoke to party leader mary lou mcdonald yesterday and he talked about for a friend and potentially within ten years and

politicians will indicate that it unionist politicians will indicate thatitis unionist politicians willaging to the place of northern ireland in the uk were as everyone knows that the only way the constitutional position of northern ireland changes is a people vote for it, the non—unionist parties would indicate that the protocol mitigates against some of the worst impacts of brexit and that it needs to perhaps be exploited so that businesses in northern ireland can take advantage of dual market access. what northern ireland can take advantage of dual market access.— of dual market access. what do you think they dup _ of dual market access. what do you think they dup will— of dual market access. what do you think they dup will ultimately - of dual market access. what do you think they dup will ultimately do, l think they dup will ultimately do, thatis think they dup will ultimately do, that is the big question, jeffrey donaldson has said he is going to wait until the queen's speech next week to decide whether or not to re—enter the power—sharing government, is that a sign of some sort o

the nation is over the democratic unionist party. they are expected to win she and fight and it would be an extraordinary victory. the 1st time in a 101 years since the partition of ireland in 1921 that a party other than the unionist party has come out on top and with potentially profound implications for northern ireland. both, both as i spoke to on thursday, the national side called the potential of a pain victory. seismic historic. they said on the union side, one man said it would be a major wakeup call. medical a wind for the nationalist shin, fain as opinion polls predict, would make history in northern ireland. it up ends a century of dominance by parties dedicated to the union with great britain putting on top a republican party that exists to forge a united ireland. that isn't going to happen imminently. and many voters with suede, instead by more immediate concerns. oh, united allen on the cards knew that it didn't like on up to important to me. what you think the chief thing capable of us for to get the rates will get bet

i unionist majority and certainly over the last— unionist majority and certainly over the last 25— unionist good friday— the last 25 years since the good friday agreement— the last 25 years since the good friday agreement unionist - the last 25 years since the good| friday agreement unionist party the last 25 years since the good i friday agreement unionist party of one kind _ friday agreement unionist party of one kind or— friday agreement unionist party of one kind or the _ friday agreement unionist party of one kind or the other— friday agreement unionist party of one kind or the other has - friday agreement unionist party of one kind or the other has always. one kind or the other has always held _ one kind or the other has always held the — one kind or the other has always held the top— one kind or the other has always held the top spot _ one kind or the other has always held the top spot and _ one kind or the other has always held the top spot and that - one kind or the other has always. held the top spot and that position so it is— held the top spot and that position so it is a _ held

the political crisis intensifies in northern ireland, as the largest unionist party, the dup, blocks the return of power—sharing at stormont. sinn fein is now the assembly's largest party — but the dup won't share power because it opposes part of the post—brexit deal known as the protocol. i believe we need to send a very clear message to the european union and to our government that we are serious about getting this protocol sorted out. they've actually boycotted an executive being formed, they've punished the public for their own selfish interest and that isn't tolerable, it isn't acceptable, it isn't good enough. we're live in ukraine, as russian forces make modest gains in the east in some of the most intense fighting of the war. explosions. we report from the front—line as it shifts in moscow's favour and ukrainian troops prepare to counter—attack. in israel, chaotic scenes at the funeral of the aljazeera journalist shireen abu akleh injerusalem, as israeli police attack mourners and pallbearers. coleen rooney tells the high court her online claim that rebekah vardy leaked priva

it places us under the _ splits the unionist vote.ckboot _ splits the unionist vote. it places us under the jackboot of - splits the unionist vote. it places us under the jackboot of the - splits the unionist vote. it places us under the jackboot of the eu | splits the unionist vote. it places i us under the jackboot of the eu and we are _ us under the jackboot of the eu and we are effectively held hostage in an economic united ireland. goods carried over _ an economic united ireland. goods carried over the _ an economic united ireland. goods carried over the irish _ an economic united ireland. goods carried over the irish sea - an economic united ireland. goods carried over the irish sea on - carried over the irish sea on ferries from britain undergo new tax when they reach these shores, which is perceived by some unionists are severing northern ireland's place in the uk. -- severing northern ireland's place in the uk. —— new cheques when they reach these shores. attempts to make the arrangements similar has put the government at log

and the unionist voters do not want those divisions.fore, i want to see a more united, stronger unionist voice. now that the counting has finished up, the question is whether the politicians who have been elected will get to actually govern northern ireland. very few, if any, people are expecting a power—sharing coalition to be formed any time soon. under the unique rules at stormont, unionists and nationalists have to agree to run northern ireland jointly before ministers can take up their positions. the dup says it won't go back into government unless the brexit trade border with the rest of the uk is scrapped. there's likely to be weeks, even months, of negotiations between the local parties. after the disappointment and delight of the election results, the future is an unclear picture. chris page, bbc news. our correspondent danjohnson is at stormont and he sent this update about what's expected to happen next the parties have to get and discuss whether they will actually share power and whether there will be a devolved executive at

its electoral success with struck fear into the heart of many unionists who already feel marginalized by westminster, the handling of bricks it negotiations with the you and a new trade border in the i receive that they say undermines northern islands place within the united kingdom that need to get a wake up call my. nobody wants to shouldn't be a minister in the union as people don't want to ship a minister coach for 1st. first and foremost, if we have a dan, you're going to call for a border pull. i don't know if i thought that even a question mark over whether the democratic unionist party leader will take up his position as deputy 1st minister behind. shin feigns michel o niel. jeffrey donaldson says he wants to see border protocol removed 1st. in northern island, symbolism matters hugely. so while power sharing and shrine to the good friday peace agreement ensures that the positions of 1st minister and deputy 1st minister shared between the largest unionist and nationalists parties have exactly equal powers the changing of places in the store. months assembly in this election ca

it's the third biggest and looking to take some of the unionist vote — the ulster unionist party andily identify themselves as a unionist or a nationalist, theyjust want to get on with their lives and want to work, raise their children go on holidays. it's not a massive, massive issue. so i think that has been reflected in the growth in our party and some of the other parties as well. voters will be thinking about health care and the rising cost of living. let's get more from our correspondent emma vardy on how the parties are doing in the polls — two days before election day. the stormont assembly has always delivered a unionist majority which has given some reassurance to those people who feel very british and you want northern ireland to remain part of the uk, but we are on the verge of the uk, but we are on the verge of a potentially big seismic shift here and that's because the polls are indicating that for the very first time in northern ireland's100 year history, the elections may deliver sinn fein as the largest party, a nationalist party getting the most seats in the assembl

and the national vote, unionist vote. and the national vote. yes- _ unionist vote. of a national sports minister, whereas the sdlp, another national party there on seven seats, down from 12... some of the boats travelling towards fein from them, no doubt, as you disunity amongst unionists. talk a bit more about the symbolism of this and what you think it means for politics here. its you think it means for politics here. , ,_ . ., you think it means for politics here. , ., ., here. its hugely symbolic that a nationalist _ here. its hugely symbolic that a nationalist party _ here. its hugely symbolic that a nationalist party for _ here. its hugely symbolic that a nationalist party for the - here. its hugely symbolic that a nationalist party for the first. here. its hugely symbolic that a i nationalist party for the first time ever is now the largest party within northern ireland politics within the stormont assembly, but it does not necessarily mean, i think a lot of people look at this and think it means we are on track for some sort of united ireland or some sort of

why has the unionist vote fragmented?s over whether or not the northern ireland protocol is something that can be amended satisfactorily or whether or not it needs to be scrapped. for many unionists, that agreement boris johnson majorly before the 2019 election, which in our view creates a border across the irish sea is not acceptable. the immediate consequence of that is indeed that the prime minister does now face the prospect of either sinn fein first minister and or no executive being properly form because the dup refused. the dup will be looking for the uk government to take action, if necessary unilateral action, in order to try and reduce the impact of the protocol on the transfer of goods from great britain to northern ireland. the difficulty the prime ministerfaces is ireland. the difficulty the prime minister faces is that if he were to do that, then potentially there will be retaliation from the european union, retaliation that will not just simply affect northern ireland but affect the flow of trade between gr

it doesn't have a role for unionist. they have to call it the, to the rest of the nation in the north of ireland, but really puts a lot of pressure on liberty starting to see whether or not they're going to agree with you about the protocol and let the protocol operate. because there is not a majority in the north of ireland and favor of the protocol. and the only people who are posted on the democratic union this party. are there any concerns about social instability or violence and response to these results? there won't be any violence in response to the result. it certainly increases polarization. the unionists will boycott the executive. the storm of administration won't work on it. really will be a question of whether the british and irish government can come together to try to negotiate some arrangement whereby they could get the north of are working again. out of the moment, the british government is threatening to bring a legislation to try to remove the protocol, which would mean they would be breaking at intern

part of it has gone to the more hardline unionist force led byjim allister.e party, that itself is extremely interesting. we have always had a situation where the main blocks of northern ireland politics have been nationalist and unionist. this isjust as historic as anything happening with sinn fein and potentialjust as important for northern ireland's future. you have a situation where you potentially have a third block in the mix, nonaligned and nonsectarian. that will change the entire complexion of northern ireland politics into the future. it will be a situation where the alliance party, who came fifth in the previous election, they will have to be at the table in a week they haven't been before. —— in a way they haven't been before. let's look at lagan valley. this is the seat of sirjeffrey donaldson, in a parliament, and indeed stormont if it ever gets going. it is a dup stronghold just south of belfast. they are down 7%. some of it is going to the tuv, some to the alliance party. it did not change the dup puzzling overall number of seats. you can see

of the unionist part, the unionist _ confidence of the unionist part, the unionist community, _ confidencecommunity, not just the dup? and you need to _ unionist community, not just the dup? and you need to have - dup? and you need to have power-sharing _ dup? and you need to have power—sharing here. - dup? and you need to have power—sharing here. at- dup? and you need to have power—sharing here. at the| dup? and you need to have - power—sharing here. at the heart of the good _ power—sharing here. at the heart of the good friday— power—sharing here. at the heart of the good friday agreement - power—sharing here. at the heart of the good friday agreement is- power—sharing here. at the heart of the good friday agreement is that i the good friday agreement is that both communities _ the good friday agreement is that both communities have _ the good friday agreement is thatj both communities have confidence the good friday agreement is that. both communities have confidence in the governance — both communities have confidence in the governance here, _ both communities have confidence in the go

we community in northern ireland - the unionist community.- the unionist community.ionist community. we will be talking about _ the unionist community. we will be talking about this _ the unionist community. we will be talking about this in - be talking about this in business and whether or not we are set with the tradable between the uk and the eu. we will be talking to roger polen later on. a bill that would protect nationwide access to abortion in the united states has been blocked in the senate. democrats had attempted to introduce the measure ahead of a supreme court decision that is expected to overturn a ruling that established the right to abortion in the nineteen—seventies. but all 50 republicans and one democrat voted not to consider the legislation. vice president kamala harris spoke to reporters shortly after the vote in the capitol. ijust presided over the women's health protective act vote, and, sadly, the senate failed to stand in defence of a woman's right to make decisions about her own body. let's be clear, the majority of the american people believ

the anger over a new border down the irish sea, which split the unionist vote.nder the jackboot of the eu and we have been effectively held hostage in an economic united ireland. goods carried over the irish sea on ferries from britain, undergo new checks when they reach these shores. which is perceived by some unionists as severing northern ireland's place in the uk and is disrupting the functions of many businesses. attempts to make the arrangement simpler has put the uk government at loggerheads with the eu. the eu has shown no flexibility| and it is very disappointing that what we are hearing is that the eu i is already saying that it will not i show any flexibility and that is why i it is absolutely right that we, i as the uk government, are very clear. - we want to get a resolution on this with the eu, - but we have never taken anything off ithe table in terms of resolving thisl issue for the people of northern ireland. while this persists, the dup has said it will not go back into the power—sharing executive, which sinn fein argues holds everyone to ranso

unionists are still very strong. unionists are still in the plurality.e was a significant nonsectarian block but that is what we have for the first time. it introduces yet another unstable element into northern irish politics. something new at a time when there are many questions to be resolved about northern irish politics. what happens to the executive? will sinn fein be able to dominate with a first minister? the dup take part? what will happen to the northern ireland protocol? it is all up for grabs at the time of significant change ahead after an already significant turbulent years in northern ireland. thanks so much of that update, lewis. if you'd like to find the result in your area, head to the bbc news website or app and enter your postcode. you ll also find plenty of election analysis, and the latest reports from our teams around the country. sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre. celtic are within touching distance of the scottish premiership title — they're all but champions after beating hearts in the lunchtime kickoff. th