Alliance Leader David Ford said: “This is an amazing vote of confidence in Barney Fitzpatrick who has already given great service to the people of Coleraine as a Police Officer and in his community work.
“It is also a vote for fairness and justice – local people recognised that Barney had the seat stolen from him last year.
“I also know from my time on the doorsteps that people increasingly recognise that Alliance is the party with positive and constructive ideas for the future, in Portrush, Portstewart and in the whole of Northern Ireland.
David Ford concluded: “Whenever Peter Hain allows the people of Northern Ireland to have their say in an Assembly election, I am confident that Alliance will do very well.”
ENDS