Eastwood looks set to lose out on third EU seat to Alliance’s Naomi Long

THE SDLP believes party leader Colum Eastwood will not take their EU seat for the North of Ireland.

Initial tallies show Sinn Fein’s Martina Anderson and Diane Dodds of the DUP will be returned to the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Mr Eastwood fought a strong campaign of campaigning against Brexit and for the North of Ireland to remain in the EU.

But the Foyle MLA’s deputy Nicola Mallon, speaking at the count centre in Magherafelt, says that “at this stage it looks like Naomi Long will take the third seat”.

It is expected that Mr Eastwood’s transfers will help Mrs Long over the line, the first time the Alliance Party NI has taken a seat in the EU Parliament.