The Ulster Unionists and Sinn Féin were today preparing for a Belfast High Court showdown over a hotly disputed result in June’s British general election.
Judges will hear allegations from Ulster Unionist chairman Mr James Cooper that Sinn Féin MP Ms Michelle Gildernew won the Fermanagh and South Tyrone seat because a village polling station remained open after voting hours.
Ms Gildernew won the Fermanagh and South Tyrone seat by a margin of 54 votes.
Her opponent announced in June he would be seeking to have the result overturned in a special election court because votes were cast in the polling station in the border village of Garrison after the official closing time of 10 p.m.
The Ulster Unionists have gathered what they say is evidence from polling officers and other witnesses in Garrison.
Sinn Féin has denied any wrongdoing.
Mr Cooper, an Enniskillen solicitor, was trying to retain the seat following the retirement of sitting Ulster Unionist MP Mr Ken Maginnis - now an Ulster Unionist peer.
PA