The law, designed to allow voters to trigger a by-election in their constituency in certain circumstances, was introduced as part of the 2010 coalition agreement between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.

Mr Paisley was eligible for recall because he had been suspended from Westminster for 30 days for failing to declare that he and his family accepted luxury holidays from the Sri Lankan government.

The MP later lobbied the UK government not to support a UN resolution calling for an international investigation into human rights abuses in Sri Lanka.

He would have lost his seat if 7,543 people (10 per cent of the constituency) signed the recall petition in the six-week window, but only 7,099 (9.4 per cent) did.

Following the outcome of the petition, Mr Paisley said: “In July I apologised for a mistake made almost six years ago. The electorate was asked to pass judgment - 90.6 per cent have accepted my apology. The electorate has clearly spoken.

“I would like to thank my true friends, family, the electorate who have stood by me with unwavering support. Hallelujah.”