Independent Unionist MLA Claire Sugden has said she wants to continue as Justice Minister following last week’s Northern Ireland Assembly elections.

Ms Sugden was the first candidate elected in East Londonderry in Thursday’s snap election.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph at the count, she said: “I would like to finish the job I started.”

Ms Sugden added: “We were putting a delivery plan in place for the next four years, to actually get real work done and to get legislation in place that would change people’s lives.

“Having a seat at the Executive table really did provide opportunities for my constituents that I would never see as a backbench MLA - so how could I give up that opportunity?”

Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire will meet Northern Ireland party leaders today to encourage Sinn Féin and the Democratic Unionist Party to resume power-sharing.

If an Executive is not formed within three weeks, the Northern Ireland Act 1998 requires that another election be held.