The DUP's Nelson McCausland says "there is a life beyond politics" after he is eliminated in North Belfast.

He said he had fought many elections and was "quite relaxed" about the outcome.

The DUP and Sinn Féin have been reacting to Mike Nesbitt's resignation.

"It has certainly been a bruising election for the UUP. I think it was probably the right decision and many people will say it was the only decision he could come to when you look at the political debris across Northern Ireland," said the DUP's Gregory Campbell.

"I'm sure his party will now be picking up the pieces because when a party leader resigns it obviously leaves a gap and raises questions, but obviously that's a matter for the UUP," added Raymond McCartney.

Doug Beattie says he is "sorry and saddened" that Mike Nesbitt has decided to stand down. Mr Beattie has retained his own seat in Upper Bann. 

He says he would not have the experience himself to lead the party. 

Colm Cavanagh of the Alliance Party and UUP candidate Julia Kee have been eliminated on count four of the Foyle constituency. 

The DUP's Gary Middleton and the SDLP's Mark H Durkan are both waiting anxiously for confirmation that they will hold their seats. 

Patsy McGlone refutes suggestions the SDLP has had a bad day - he says the party has got 12,000 more  votes than the last election - a vindication of the decision to go into opposition.

Jim Wells, who retained his DUP seat in South Down, has paid tribute to former SDLP MLA PJ Bradley, who was buried this morning. 

He believes the SDLP's Colin McGrath will get the final seat in South Down. 

Jim Allister says its a poor day for unionism brought about by "Arlene Foster's arrogance". 

Image source, DUP

He says Mrs Foster shoulders some of the responsibility for Sinn Féin advances. He says the DUP brought Sinn Féin into government and has had to 'feed the crocodile' since. 

Stormont veteran Jim Wells says Sinn Féin has failed in its bid to get rid of Arlene Foster and all the DUP's "top folk" have been re-elected.

Image source, PA

He says the two parties will have to sit down together and "many road blocks" have been overcome in the past.  

UUP leader Mike Nesbitt says it would be the "height of hypocrisy" if he did not take "full responsibility" for his party's results.

However,  he will remain as MLA for Strangford.

"The buck stops here," says Mike Nesbitt as he resigns the leadership of the Ulster Unionist Party. Read more here .

WATCH LIVE: Mike Nesbitt announcement - #AE17- here. ... 

• UUP's Danny Kennedy loses his seat in Newry and Armagh
• Another casualty is the SDLP's Alex Attwood in West Belfast

• Sinn Féin northern leader Michelle O'Neill re-elected
• Former first minister and DUP leader Arlene Foster retains seat
• Alliance Party leader Naomi Long elected
• SDLP leader Colum Eastwood retains seat

Colum Eastwood, the SDLP leader, says his party has maintained its vote share. He believes the SDLP can still get 10 seats. 

He says that it is "utter nonsense" to suggest the SDLP and the UUP's decision to go into opposition was a mistake. 

Former SDLP MLA John Dallat tells BBC Radio Foyle he has no regrets about coming out of retirement to fight for a seat in East Londonderry.

"I could not sit idly by and watch what was happening because it was obvious to me that the seat was going to be lost."  

"I believe I made a gallant attempt to save the seat, not for John Dallat but for the people in East Derry who relied on the SDLP," he added.