Rev Ian Paisley’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is now the biggest party in Northern Ireland following the Assembly elections.

The DUP won 30 seats in the election; the Ulster Unionists 27.

The party previously insisted a new political settlement in Northern Ireland would have to be penned if it obtained a majority in the 108-seat Assembly.

The anti-Agreement party refuses to enter into dialogue with Sinn Fein, given the nationalist party’s former links with the IRA.

The DUP plans to hold talks with the Government over the week.

Sinn Fein secured more MLA seats over its main more moderate rival, the SDLP. Sinn Fein won 24 seats in comparison with the SDLP’s 18.

The Alliance party gained six assembly places.

Pro-Agreement parties hoped Wednesday’s election would kickstart the stalled Northern Ireland peace process.

The devolved administration was suspended a year ago amid allegations of IRA intelligence gathering at Stormont.

The DUP has been accused of a “parasitical” approach to the Good Friday Agreement.

Senior Ulster Unionist Sir Reg Empey challenged Dr Ian Paisley’s party to explain why it had participated in the Assembly whilst pooh-poohing any progress.

“There are people who have been benefiting from the Agreement, taking all the benefits such as membership of the Assembly and all the salaries that go with it, without contributing anything to its creation.

“That in my mind is parasitical behaviour.

“The DUP portrays itself as having this lofty position of opposing everything in the Agreement but the reality is they are participating in its structures.”

Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble said the DUP had “sold the people a false bill of goods.”

“They said there was some other agreement out there that they could produce and which wouldn’t have any of the awkward bits in it.

“The DUP can’t deliver and that will become clear and it will become clear very quickly.”