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The Vote

Mark Devenport | 16:40 UK time, Tuesday, 9 March 2010

I've been in a blogging Bermuda Triangle for most of the afternoon - it's known as sitting in the studio for "Stormont Live". So I haven't been able to give you a blow by blow account of the afternoon proceedings, but by the Assembly's standards it's been pretty lively stuff.

As I write the division bell is ringing and the MLAs are preparing to troop through the lobbies. The only question is how many DUP MLAs will walk through the "yes" door. Earlier on Stormont Live Arlene Foster told us the entire DUP team would be voting with the exception of Willie McCrea who is at a funeral.

The entire UUP team is expected to vote "No", with the exception of Bob Coulter who is over at Buckingham palace picking up an MBE.

P.S. Martina Purdy has just returned from the Press gallery. She says all the DUP MLAs voted "yes" with the exception of Willie Hay, who as Speaker does not vote, and Willie McCrea for the reasons outlined above.

So the die is cast - at least until 2012 when the "sunset clause" on this cross community arrangement kicks in.

P.P.S. The vote breakdown was (with 105 MLAs voting)

52 unionists voted - 35 voted "yes" - that's 34 DUP MLAs plus Dawn Purvis. 17 UUP MLAs voted against. All the 44 nationalists backed devolving justice. 9 of the cross community MLAs (Alliance plus Brian Wilson and Kieran Deeney) voted in favour.

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