Senior investigator drafted in to support police response to Epstein files 

A senior investigator has been appointed to support "national coordination" of matters relating to the Jeffrey Epstein files, the National Police Chief's Council (NPCC) has said.

An NPCC spokesman said: "The appointment of a PIP4‑accredited investigator will assist forces in progressing their assessment of the vast amount of files released by the DoJ [US Department of Justice], and any investigations which may arise as a result.

"The role requires a level of seniority and expertise, which will be invaluable in ensuring matters - though extremely complex - receive thorough and diligent assessment, mindful of the harm to victims.

"The investigator will work with UK forces, the National Crime Agency, national experts in the investigation of violence against women and girls, and the Crown Prosecution Service.

"They will ensure consistency and prioritisation in contact with the US authorities to ensure requests for information can be dealt with as swiftly as possible.

"We are mindful that at the heart of these matters are victims and survivors and we are committed to ensuring that no stone is left unturned during our collective enquiries."

Greater Manchester Police 'reviewing' report of alleged 'family voting' in Gorton and Denton by-election - statement in full

Greater Manchester Police has confirmed it is "reviewing" a report of alleged "family voting" in the Gorton and Denton by-election.

It follows a statement from Reform UK leader Nigel Farage who said his party had reported the "many cases of 'family voting' to the electoral commission and the police".

The full police statement reads: "We can confirm a report has been made.

"We are in the process of reviewing this report and will provide a further update in due course."

A Reform UK government would 'set back' Wales, Plaid Cymru leader says

A Reform government would set Wales back decades, the leader of Plaid Cymru has told his party conference.

Speaking at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Newport on Friday, Rhun ap Iorwerth said the Senedd election in May will be a choice between the two parties.

Labour has led Wales since the Senedd was first established as the National Assembly for Wales in 1999, but, if opinion polls are to be believed, the May election could see more than two decades in power brought to an end.

Mr ap Iorwerth said: “For Labour, the party is over and so the election in May will be a choice between two contrasting futures.

“Tolerance or division, progress or decay, defiance or deference, culture or ignorance, humanity or indifference, Plaid Cymru or Reform.

“We all know that a Reform government would set our country back decades."

Plaid Cymru leader pledges to 'stand up to Keir Starmer' if he becomes first minster of Wales

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth told his party conference he would “stand up to Keir Starmer” if he becomes first minister of Wales in May.

He said: “We offer hope, hope that can overcome people’s fears of other political forces leading Wales down a dark path.

“And hope that, finally, Wales will have a government willing to stand up to Keir Starmer, to (Welsh Secretary) Jo Stevens and anyone else denying our nation the fairness it deserves.

“Westminster treats Wales with contempt with such alarming frequency it’s sometimes difficult to keep up.

“From day one, as your first minister, I would work to reset the relationship between Welsh and UK governments – a relationship characterised now as one of disrespect, disinterest and at times, it seems, wilful ignorance.”

“My first conversation with the UK Prime Minister would set out a commitment to working constructively and cordially,” he added.

“But it would also set out my clear expectation that the will of the people of Wales must no longer be ignored. ”

Britain withdraws embassy staff from Iran as fears of US attack grow 

British staff working in Iran have been withdrawn due to the ongoing security situation.

President Donald Trump briefly laid out his case for a possible attack on Iran in his State of the Union speech on Tuesday, underlining that while he preferred a diplomatic solution, he would not allow Tehran to obtain a nuclear weapon.

The British Foreign Office said its ability to assist British nationals was now extremely limited, with the embassy operating remotely and no in-person consular support available even in emergencies.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

WATCH: Labour MP shut down by GB News host after accusing Reform of 'fantasy economics'

GB News host Miriam Cates has brutally shut down a Labour MP after claiming Reform UK's "extreme policies" and "fantasy economics" cost them the win in the Gorton and Denton by-election.

Speaking to the People's Channel, Alex Ballinger argued that voters "tactically voted against" Reform leader Nigel Farage and his candidate Matt Goodwin, who placed second behind the Greens.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

GB News Political Editor Chris Hope says the Gorton and Denton by-election will 'go down as a landmark moment in British politics'

Our Political Editor Chris Hope has had his say after a bombshell victory for the Green Party in Gorton and Denton.

Writing for GB News members, Chris said: "Never before have the mainstream political parties looked more out of touch with the rest of the country.

"It was a clear win for the Greens, with a strong showing by Reform UK, both making huge gains on their showing at the 2024 General Election."

GB NEWS MEMBERS CAN READ CHOPPER'S ANALYSIS HERE.

Labour dealt second by-election blow as Keir Starmer's party stumbles in local council battle

It was a bleak night for Labour across the country as they lost a second crucial by-election, this time to the Liberal Democrats.

While all the headlines are being directed to Green Party candidate Hannah Spencer defeating Labour in Gorton & Denton, on the south coast, the Lib Dems managed to hold on to a seat on Southampton City Council.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Zack Polanski says getting Labour MPs to defect to the Greens is not his priority

The Green Party leader said: "My priority right now actually is scoping out where might the [next] likely by-election be about to happen and how do we make sure we’re on the ground as quickly as possible to make sure we can repeat this as many times as we need to.

"Also a relentless focus on local elections and the Senedd. Any MP who shares our values, I’m always open to those conversations.

"But quite frankly, it’s just not something I’m craving at this point because, actually, I want to win Green MPs but I want to do it on the ground in the same way that we just did it last night."

Downing Street says Winston Churchill statue vandalism is 'completely abhorrent'

A Downing Street spokesman said: "It’s obviously a disgrace. It’s completely abhorrent.

"Churchill was a great Briton. This Government will always stand up for our values and the perpetrator must be held to account.

"We’re glad the police have made an arrest."

Downing Street says 'the law is the law' over family voting allegations

Downing Street said "the law is the law" when asked "family voting" in the Gorton and Denton by-election.

Asked if the Prime Minister had concerns about the allegations, the Prime Minister's spokesman said: "The law is the law, and it’s essential that electors can cast their votes in secret without any risk of coercion.

"Obviously, if anyone has witnessed coercion, they should discuss that matter with their local elections team or the police."

Kemi Badenoch says Keir Starmer is 'finished' as she called for the Prime Minister to resign

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said the result of the Gorton and Denton by-election "shows Keir Starmer’s premiership is finished".

She said in a statement: "This result shows Keir Starmer’s premiership is finished.

"He lost authority a long time ago, a mere hostage at the mercy of a divided Labour Party that cannot decide who to replace him with. He has lost the support of his voters, his MPs and the country.

"He is in office but not in power. If he had any integrity he would go."

The Tory leader added: "Our country is not broken, but this by-election showed that Labour, Reform and the Greens are trying very hard to break it.

"Labour trying to buy people off with more and more benefits spending. Reform telling people you can’t be British if you aren’t white.

"The Greens running a nasty, sectarian campaign while simultaneously wanting to legalise crack-cocaine. Clearly this election was not about who would be the best MP."

WATCH: Zack Polanski tells GB News Reform leader Nigel Farage is a 'sore loser' 

This grubby Green win explodes the myth we've all been sold about multiculturalism, writes Paul Embrey

Trade unionist Paul Embery said: "Overall, Gorton and Denton has demonstrated the extent of the fracture in our politics and wider society.

"That fracture isn’t going to heal any time soon.

"The very concepts of national and cultural unity, things we all once understood and which bound our communities together, seem utterly elusive in these turbulent, discordant times."

GB NEWS MEMBERS CAN READ PAUL'S FULL ANALYSIS HERE.

Keir Starmer says he will 'keep on fighting' after devastating Labour loss

Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to "keep on fighting" after Labour suffered a heavy defeat in Gorton & Denton by-election to the Greens.

The Prime Minister said: "Incumbent governments quite often get results like that mid-term, but I do understand that voters are frustrated, they're impatient for change.

"I came into politics late in life, as it happens, to fight for change for those people need it.

"The people who need an NHS that works for them, to be able to doctors appointment when they need it, to get the money they need in their pockets to pay their bills, and to have decent and better life.

"I will keep on fighting for those people as long as I've got breath in my body."

Jeremy Corbyn congratulates Hannah Spencer for by-election victory

Jeremy Corbyn has congratulated Hannah Spencer for her by-election victory, adding Your Party will work "constructively" with the Greens.

The Islington North MP and Your Party Parliamentary Leader said: "Congratulations to Hannah Spencer on a stunning victory.

"Proud to support a campaign built on hope and humanity.

"Under our new leadership team, Your Party will work constructively with the Greens, because there is only one way we can bring about real change: together."

Zack Polanski says Britain is 'ready for mature debate' over drugs legalisation

Zack Polanski said the British public was ready for a "mature and nuanced" debate about whether to legalise all drugs.

Sir Keir Starmer had previously attacked the Green Party’s policy on the issue, branding it "disgusting" in the Commons.

Mr Polanski said: "The Labour Party did their best to make sure that everyone knows what our policies are and for that I should probably thank them. And we got a 4,000 majority in what was supposedly a Labour stronghold.

“So I think people are absolutely ready to have sensible conversations about policy and some of the way the Labour Government have conducted themselves in this contest, I thought particularly about drugs.

"A really serious issue, we have the highest death rate from drugs in the whole of Europe.

"Keir Starmer, rather than taking a public health approach or looking at harm reduction, thought it sensible to make cheap political attacks, to send vans under the constituency.

"I think the public are in a lot more mature and nuanced place than sometimes politicians who have maybe been around too long and have become cynical and don’t have the courage to lead."

Gorton & Denton was 127th target seat, says Hannah Spencer

Hannah Spencer said Gorton and Denton was the 127th target seat for the Green Party as she predicted major swings to Zack Polanski's party across the country.

Mr Polanski said : "This is an existential crisis for the Labour Party.

"No longer can they try to scare people into saying they have to vote for something because they’re worried about the least worst option.

"A vote for the Greens is a vote both to stop Reform, to stop Labour and for something hopeful and a plan."

Hannah Spencer accuses Labour of being 'complicit in genocide'

Gorton & Denton MP Hannah Spencer said: "Many voters I spoke with from lots of different backgrounds are deeply troubled by this Labour Government’s complicity in genocide.

"I am so proud that the Green Party stands so firmly against genocide and war crimes, and defends human rights in Gaza and across the world."

Hannah Spencer hails 'Green tidal wave' at next General Election

Hannah Spencer said there will a "Green tidal wave" as she said the "real work begins."

The new MP for Gorton & Denton said: "This by election has shown there is no such thing as a safe seat. There is no place where the Green Party cannot win.

"Come and join so we can spread hope and win everywhere across the country.

"This is just the beginning...our momentum will carry on. You've seen a Green surge tonight and just you wait you'll see a Green tidal wave at the next General Election.

"We are here to replace Labour...now the real work begins."

Hannah Spencer says Reform 'dances to the tune of billionaire owners'

The Gorton and Denton MP Hannah Spencer said Reform "dances to the tune of billionaire owners who don't want to pay their taxes"

Ms Spencer added: "The majority of people in Gorton and Denton share the same concerns.

She said the NHS "must not be cut up and sold to the highest bidder".

Zack Polanski and Hannah Spencer arrive for victory rally

Green Party leader Zack Polanski and newly elected Gorton and Denton MP Hannah Spencer have arrived at a party victory rally.

Mr Polanski said Labour can no longer "scare monger" as he thanked party campaigners.

Angela Rayner says result must be a 'wake up call'

Angela Rayner has said Labour's defeat to the Green Party needs to be a "wake up call".

The former Deputy Prime Minister said: "This result must be a wake up call. It’s time to really listen and to reflect. Voters want the change that we promised and they voted for.

"If we want to unrig the system, if we want to make the change we were sent into Government to make, we have to be braver. A Labour agenda that puts people first.

"That’s what all of us across our movement need to rededicate ourselves to this morning."

Union chief demands Keir Starmer to resign 

The general secretary of the Labour-affiliated TSSA union has demanded Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation.

Maryam Eslamdoust said: "It’s clear that the disastrous lurch to the right under Keir Starmer is haemorrhaging Labour votes to the Greens.

"There’s an urgent need for a change in leadership and Keir must announce his departure immediately. However, a simple change in leader will not be enough.

"Labour must rediscover its radical soul and start to deliver for the British public by extending public ownership of key industries like water, energy, and mail, as well as substantially increasing the minimum wage for all workers."

Nigel Farage accuses Greens of 'sectarian cheating' and lays down gauntlet to PM

Nigel Farage has launched a blistering attack on the Green Party, branding their triumph in the Gorton and Denton by-election "a victory for sectarian voting and cheating."

The Reform UK leader took to social media following Hannah Spencer's comfortable win for the Greens, praising his own party's candidate Matthew Goodwin while setting his sights firmly on the upcoming local elections.

"Matt Goodwin was a great candidate for us. Roll on the elections on May 7th," Mr Farage wrote.

A spokesman for Zack Polanski's party accused Reform of playing "straight out of the Trump playbook."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Reform UK chairman says party accepts result despite Nigel Farage accusing Greens of 'cheating'

Reform UK's chairman Dr David Bull says the party accepts the result of the Gorton & Denton by-election, despite Nigel Farage saying Hannah Spencer's win for the Greens was a "victory for sectarian voting and cheating".

When asked if the reports of "unprecedented levels of illegal family voting" across the constituency impacted the result, Dr Bull told the BBC: "If I’m being candid, probably not."

Asked if Reform UK would challenge the legitimacy of the election result, he replied: "No. And I think it’s really important that we stand back and look at all of this with cool, clear heads.

"We’ve all been up all night, and so any rash decision would be a bad decision, in my humble opinion."

Heidi Alexander says people 'do not want to see Prime Minister Zack Polanski'

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has said the British people do not want to see Zack Polanski in Downing Street after his Green Party trounced Labour in Gorton & Denton.

She told GB News: "I'm not going to try to sugar coat this and pretend this hasn't been a very difficult and disappointing night for the Labour Party.

"I don't think we should over interpret this result. There is no direct read across between what happens at a by election and a general election.

"Just because people voted for a Green MP doesn't mean people want Zack Polanski to be Prime Minister.

"I think the Green Party offer of being soft on defence, soft on national security, soft on law and order won't survive contact with the electorate come the General Election."

Union boss says by election defeat needed to be 'wake up call'

The leader of the biggest union affiliated to Labour said the byelection defeat was a "wake-up call" for the party.

Writing on social media, Sharon Graham of Unite said: "If Labour needed any further wake up calls, this is clearly one. Labour need to now ditch the gimmicks and get back to being Labour, not new, not one that plays games, but real Labour.

"Workers and families are hurting. We have a cost-of-living crisis largely being ignored and investment in jobs for the here-and-now being blocked by a Treasury that doesn’t seem to understand the basics of what is needed to build Britain.

"Stop listening your rich mates and start listening to everyday people."

Zack Polanski claims there are now 'no no-go areas' for Greens 

There are now no "no-go areas" for the Green Party in England and Wales, the leader of the Green Party Zack Polanski has said.

When asked what he thought people are saying, Mr Polanski said: "I think they are telling us that they want an alternative to this failing Labour Government, and also Manchester wanted to reject the divisive and extreme politics of Reform.

"But they’re telling us in Hannah and the Green Party there was a plan to lower people’s bills, protect our National Health Service and rebuild our public services.

"I believe that’s why Hannah won with a majority of over 4,000 and it’s why there’s now no no-go area for the Green Party in England and Wales and, in 70 days time at the local elections, we intend to do it all again."

Former Conservative minister admits 'this was never our fight to have'

A former Conservative minister has admitted Gorton and Denton was "never our fight to have" as she reacted to the party's defeat in the Greater Manchester constituency.

Kemi Badenoch's party lost their deposit and finished fourth, over 8,600 votes behind Labour in third.

Former Education Secretary Michelle Donelan told GB News: "This was never going to be predicted as a Conservative victory.

"Of course, in every election, we try to field a candidate so there's a choice in democracy but we didn't launch a large scale campaign or allocate resources to this particular seat.

"It was never going to be our fight to have.

"The analysis of last night's vote I think really shows crisis moment for Keir Starmer given this was one of his safest seats."

Labour MP says party needs to be 'brave enough' to learn lessons after Gorton & Denton defeat

A Labour MP has said his party needs to be "brave enough" to "take on vested interests" in order to win the next election.

Chris Curtis, the MP for Milton Keynes North, said Hannah Spencer, a councillor and plumber who won the Gorton and Denton seat has "got the right question", when she asked what does working hard get you after she was elected.

Mr Curtis told the BBC: "We now have an economic model supported by...governments successively who haven’t been willing to stand up to it.

"That is on the side of grifters in this country, and not the side of grafters.

"If this Labour Party is going to win the next election, if it’s going to stand up to politicians like Green and Reform, who I don’t believe have the answers to those questions, we need to come up with those answers, and we need to be brave enough to take on the vested interests in order to deliver."

WATCH: Sir John Curtice discusses the Conservative Party’s position following the Green Party’s victory

Reform chairman says he's 'delighted' with finishing second

Reform UK chairman Dr David Bull said he is "so proud" of the party's support in Gorton and Denton after finishing runners up to the Greens in Gorton and Denton.

He told GB News: "I'm so proud of our supporters and members, 5000 people came to help us over the course of the campaign, it was absolutley extraordinary.

"Now this is a traditionally Labour part of the country, in fact Reform shouldn't be anywhere to be seen here. But what happened was Labour imploded and the Greens started talking about issues like Gaza, the legalisation of drugs.

"Whereas Reform came through the middle and I'm so delighted with that second place."

WATCH: Zack Polanski says the Green Party's win 'sends a message of hope' to the country

Former YouGov chief says Labour's loss 'cannot be fully explained by Gaza'

The former president of YouGov Peter Kellner has said the fallout over Labour's stance on Gaza is not the only reason why the party's vote collapsed in Gorton and Denton.

He said: "For Labour the result is plainly catastrophic. Indeed, its 25.3 point drop since 2024 understates the scale of its disaster.

"In 2019 it won 67.2 per cent, then lost 16.5 percentage points in 2024, mainly due to the intervention of the Workers Party.

"In as far as Muslim voters have deserted Labour, much of the desertion had already happened two years ago. What happened last night cannot be fully explained by Gaza. Nor does a fall in turnout explain Labour’s plight.

"This has often been cited in the past to argue that supporters stay at home in the by-election but return to the fold for the following general election. This time, turnout was almost the same as in 2024.

"To be sure, some former Labour voters will have stayed at home, while Reform and the Greens picked up some new voters. But the lion’s share of Labour’s 9,000 lost votes did not stay away: they switched to other parties."

Union boss says Keir Starmer is 'failing on every count' 

One of Britain's biggest union bosses has called on the Prime Minister to change course after losing the Gorton & Denton by-election.

General Secretary of Unison Andrea Egan said: "The Greens won for a simple reason.

"Many traditional Labour supporters, in Manchester and across the country, want to see progressive values robustly defended against the far-Right, not gleefully abandoned.

"A Labour Government should be standing up for workers, defending migrants and refugees, and taking the fight to Nigel Farage rather than letting him set the agenda.

"Under Keir Starmer the party is failing on every count, leaving the Greens to fill the vacuum."

Who are the other Green Party MPs?

Hannah Spencer becomes the fifth Green Party MP for Zack Polanski's party.

She will join Adrian Ramsay (Waveney Valley), Ellie Chowns (Herefordshire North), Carla Denyer (Bristol Central) and Siân Berry (Brighton Pavillion) in the Commons.

'Straight out of the Trump playbook!' Greens hit back at Nigel Farage's claims of 'sectarian cheating' 

The Greens have hit back at Nigel Farage after the Reform UK leader labelled the result a "victory for sectarian voting and cheating".

A spokesman for Zack Polanski's party said: “This is an attempt to undermine the democratic result and is straight out of the Trump playbook.

“We’ve just won a historic by-election by a comfortable margin.

“We’ve shown the country that Greens can beat Reform, despite their big business donations.”

Labour in-fighting begins over by-election blowout as MPs queue up to rage at Kier Starmer

Labour in-fighting has erupted in the wake of the party's third-place finish in the Gorton and Denton by-election.

Shortly after the results were declared, Labour backbencher Karl Turner told Times Radio the outcome was a "disaster" for the party, before fuming: “What on earth is this Labour Party doing?“

He said: “The reality is we’ve ended up with a situation which we could have avoided.

"This was avoided but here we are in Manchester with the Greens. It’s the worst result the Labour Party could have ever had, frankly... My message to Keir, the Prime Minister, is this. Why don’t we try to be Labour?"

Meanwhile, Richard Burgon, a prominent MP on the left of the party, said the blame of Labour's defeat "lies squarely with Keir Starmer and his clique".

He added: "If Labour is to be the 'Stop Reform' party, then the leadership must stop treating progressive voters with contempt - and start appealing to them."

Conservatives slump to worst by-election result in party's history

The Conservative Party slumped to its worst by-election result in the party's history after finishing with less than two per cent of the vote in Gorton and Denton.

After winning just 1.9 per cent of the vote, candidate Charlotte Cadden achieved the unwanted feat - finishing even lower than Susan Bell, who won a dismal 2.3 per cent of the ballots cast in the 1994 Monklands East by-election.

Under electoral law, those who achieve less than five per cent of the total votes cast lose their deposit - a sum of £500.

Candidates who achieve over the minimum threshold see their money returned to them the day after the election.

Matt Goodwin confirms he WILL stand at next General Election as he warns of 'Muslim sectarianism' threat

Reform UK candidate Matt Goodwin has insisted he will stand again at the next General Election as he hit out at emergence of "dangerous" sectarian voting.

The former professor, who finished more than 4,000 votes behind Greens candidate Hannah Spencer, wrote on social media: “We are losing our country.

"A dangerous Muslim sectarianism has emerged. We have only one general election left to save Britain.

"Vote Reform every chance you get. I will continue the fight. I will always fight for you.

"I will stand at the next general election."

Zack Polanski insists Greens can win over 100 seats as he slams Labour's 'dirty campaign' 

Green Party leader Zack Polanski has insisted his party could win more than 100 seats at the next General Election as he hit out at Labour's campaign in Gorton and Denton.

The 43-year-old London Assembly member said: “When I was elected leader of the Greens I said we were here to replace Labour and I meant it.

"Hannah was a fantastic candidate and I know she’ll make a brilliant MP.

“This used to be one of Labour’s safest seats. In this by-election almost half of their 2024 voters abandoned them and many switched to voting Green, meaning they finished third.

"The Green Party saw a record-breaking swing in our direction and more than tripled our vote.

“Labour fought a shameful, dirty campaign – spreading lies about Green policies and even faking a tactical voting website.

"They knew they couldn’t win, but they risked splitting the vote and letting Reform in.

"People everywhere will now know that voting Green is the way to defeat Reform.”

Conservatives label Keir Starmer 'lame duck leader'... after taking home just 706 votes

The Conservative Party has labelled Sir Keir Starmer as a "lame duck leader" despite candidate Charlotte Cadden winning just 706 votes.

A spokesman for the party claimed the Prime Minister has "killed" the Labour Party.

They said: "In losing one of Labour’s safest seats, in a constituency that has returned Labour MPs for almost a century, Starmer has shown he no longer commands the support of Labour voters and is now a lame duck leader.

“This result shows the Labour government now lacks any support in the country and has no mandate for the terrible policies it is pursuing, increasing the benefits bill, raising taxes, weakening our borders and the Armed Forces.

“Only the Conservatives have the experience, the plans and the team to ensure a stronger economy and a stronger country.”

Nigel Farage hits out at 'sectarian voting and cheating' as Reform UK leader slams Greens victory

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has slammed the Greens' victory in the Gorton and Denton by-election after his party's candidate finished in second by more than 4,000 votes.

On social media, Mr Farage wrote: "This election was a victory for sectarian voting and cheating.

"Matt Goodwin was a great candidate for us.

"Roll on the elections on May 7. It will be goodbye Starmer and goodbye to the Tory Party."

Hannah Spencer says 'we do things differently here' as she claims Greens can win 'everywhere' 

Hannah Spencer declared "we do things differently" in Manchester as she claimed the Greens could replicate the result across the country.

The newest Green MP said: "We have shown that we don’t have to accept being turned against each other. We can demand better without hating each other. We can do that together.

“We ran a hopeful campaign, backed by thousands of volunteers and activists. We defeated the parties of billionaire donors. And we did this with the people who live here side by side, shoulder to shoulder, just as we have always done in this constituency and in the whole of Greater Manchester.

"Because this is Manchester, and we do things differently here."

Newly elected Gorton and Denton MP declares she will 'fight for very diverse constituency' 

Speaking from the podium after her victory, newly elected Gorton and Denton MP Hannah Spencer declared she would always "fight" for the constituency's white working class while standing up for its Muslim community.

She said: “I know that earning your trust starts now. One vote on one night is not something I will take for granted or assume will happen again.

"I will earn your trust. And to those who didn’t vote for me, I will always work hard for you, I will always be honest and I will always be decent.

“To our Muslim communities who this week suffered an attempted attack during Ramadan, while I was being welcomed by women at a mosque in Longsight, someone just down the road walked into a mosque carrying an axe. And whilst we were gathered and eating together an act of terror could easily have taken place.

“I can’t and won’t accept this victory tonight without calling out the politicians and divisive figures who constantly scapegoat and blame our communities for all the problems in society. My Muslim friends and neighbours are just like me, human.

“And of course to our white working class communities, the background that I have become so proud to be from, we know how it feels to be looked down on, maybe because we didn’t do well at school, maybe because we do dirty, manual jobs, because we are shut out of places we should be in, to people here in Gorton and Denton who feel left behind and isolated, I see you and I will fight for you.”

RESULTS IN FULL

• Hannah Spencer (Green Party): 14,980 votes
• Matt Goodwin (Reform UK): 10,578 votes
• Angeliki Stogia (Labour Party): 9,364 votes
• Charlotte Cadden (Conservative Party): 706 votes
• Jackie Pearcey (Liberal Democrats): 653 votes
• Sir Oink A-Lot (Monster Raving Looney Party): 159 votes
• Nick Buckley (Advance UK): 154 votes
• Joseph O'Meachair (Rejoin EU): 98 votes
• Dan Clarke (Libertarian Party): 47 votes
• Sebastian Moore (SDP): 46 votes
• Hugo Wils (Communist League): 29 votes

BREAKING: Labour OUSTED by Greens in Gorton and Denton as Keir Starmer fails crucial vote of public confidence

Labour has been ousted by the Greens in Gorton and Denton in a crushing vote of public confidence for Sir Keir Starmer.

Zack Polanski's party, led by candidate Hannah Spencer, overturned a mammoth 13,000-strong Labour majority in the seat, winning 14,980 votes.

Reform UK's Matt Goodwin came in second, bettering the party's performance in the 2024 General Election but relegating Labour to third place in an historic wipeout.

RECAP: Labour 'concedes defeat in Gorton and Denton by-election' as deputy leader issues grim assessment

The Greens “have managed to win that argument that they were best placed” to block Reform UK from winning Gorton and Denton, Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell has conceded.

Appearing to admit defeat, she said: "I wanted Angeliki Stogia to be my colleague in Parliament, because I think she would have been a fantastic MP.

"But I think what is really clear is that there is a big majority in this constituency that hasn't voted for Reform."

The Greens, meanwhile, have said: "We are now very confident of a win."

Earlier, Reform UK sources said Sir Keir Starmer's party could sink to third place.

The turnout in the crunch by-election has been announced as 47.62 per cent with 36,903 verified votes cast.

This is down slightly from 47.8 per cent who turned out in the 2024 General Election.

If Labour were to finish in a distant third place, it would mark humiliation for Sir Keir Starmer's party, who stormed to victory with a mammoth 13,000 majority in the seat just over 18 months ago.

Official declaration now just moments away 

An official declaration is expected to be made imminently.

GB News understands Labour candidate Angeliki Stogia has arrived at the Manchester Central Convention Complex.

Labour 'concedes defeat in Gorton and Denton' as deputy leader issues grim assessment

The Greens “have managed to win that argument that they were best placed” to block Reform UK from winning Gorton and Denton, Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell has conceded.

Appearing to admit defeat, she said: "I wanted Angeliki Stogia to be my colleague in Parliament, because I think she would have been a fantastic MP.

"But I think what is really clear is that there is a big majority in this constituency that hasn't voted for Reform."

The Greens, meanwhile, have said: "We are now very confident of a win."

Greens predict 'seismic moment' for British politics as party feels 'positive' as votes are counted

The Greens have predicted a "seismic moment" may be about to hit British politics as the party declared it felt "positive" as the vote count gets underway.

A source from Zack Polanski's party said: “Things are feeling positive. Not wanting to get ahead of ourselves, but everything that we thought that was going to be happening looks like it’s happening.

“Whatever happens, I think it’s fair to say that Greens are here to stay now as a progressive voice in British politics.

“We’ve said from the start we’re not here to be disappointed by Labour, but we’re here to replace them.

“And from day one of the by-election, we’ve said that Greens are the only party that could beat Reform. And I think tonight we’re seeing both of those things potentially coming true.

“I think it’s a seismic moment in British politics where Greens are showing that they’re a party that can protect the country from the threat of Reform, and that Labour’s not up to the job.”

RECAP: Counting underway in Gorton and Denton by-election amid fierce 'illegal family voting' row

An election monitoring group has raised alarm over what it called “unprecedented” levels of family voting during the Gorton and Denton by-election today.

Democracy Volunteers said its observers attended 22 of the constituency’s 45 polling stations and witnessed family voting in 15 of them.

Across a sample of 545 voters, the group recorded 32 incidents in total, including nine cases at a single polling station.

John Ault, the watchdog’s director, said: “Today we have seen concerningly high levels of family voting in Gorton and Denton.”

He continued by saying the scale of the problem was the highest recorded in its 10-year history of monitoring UK elections and had prompted the rare decision to publish findings on polling day.

He contrasted the figures with the recent Runcorn and Helsby by-election, where family voting was seen in 12 per cent of polling stations and affected around 1 per cent of voters, compared with 68 per cent of stations and 12 per cent of voters in Gorton and Denton.The findings came as voting closed in a fiercely contested by-election that could carry wider implications for Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership.

Family voting is where relatives enter polling booths together and influence each other’s choices, has been observed by Democracy Volunteers, an election watchdog.

It was made a criminal offence in Britain under the Ballot Secrecy Act 2023.

The south-east Manchester seat has been described as one of the most unpredictable contests in recent years, following the resignation of Andrew Gwynne after his suspension from Labour over offensive WhatsApp messages.

Polling opened at 7am and closed at 10pm in what is only the second parliamentary by-election held under Sir Keir’s government.

'We're here to replace you! Bullish Greens issue scathing new statement as by-election result looms

The Green Party has insisted they are here to "replace" Labour as the result of the Gorton and Denton by-election looms.

A party source said: “We've said from the start that we weren't here to be disappointed with Labour but to replace them, and from day one of this by-election, we've said only Greens could beat Reform.

"The Greens are now the only party that can protect this country from the dangerous threat of Reform.

"Labour has shown it is not up to the job. We need to wait for the results to come in but whatever happens, it's fair to say Greens are here to stay as the progressive voice of British politics."

Although a result is not expected for another few hours, Labour sources have suggested it has been a good night for Zack Polanski's party.

Labour starts laying ground for wipeout as party sources fume: 'Greens couldn't have done this at a General Election!'

Labour sources have just provided the following update to GB News as counting continues in Gorton and Denton.

Party insiders said "early signs" at the count indicate the Greens have been able to turn out support "in a way they wouldn’t be able to replicate at a General Election".

Election observers hit back in growing 'illegal voting' row as chaos threatens to DERAIL by-election 

Democracy Volunteers has hit back at Manchester City Council after the local authority said it was “extremely disappointing” the election observers “waited until after polls have closed to make such claims”.

The group's director, John Ault, told PA: “It is a normal international standard not to issue a comment until after a voting has finished, another accepted aspect of election observation is that you are encouraged to ask questions of staff.

“This we did in a number of polling stations when the relevant presiding officer was available.

“Obviously they can be very busy so we don’t seek to interrupt their work.

“We posed questions about family voting in several polling stations and how staff dealt with it when it arose.”

Zack Polanski breaks silence on widespread illegal family voting reports

Green Party leader Zack Polanski has broken his silence on the reports of widespread illegal family voting taking place across Gorton and Denton.

The 43-year-old London Assembly member has indicated he would support an investigation into the matter.

He told BBC Newsnight: “I think it’s important that there’s full transparency about the democratic process, and if the recommendation is that there should be an inquiry or further steps then yes I’d support that.”

Meanwhile, Reform UK chairman David Bull told the programme: “Electoral fraud is a stain on democracy.

"We would support reporting it and making sure that it’s done in the spirit and fairness with the law.”

Labour admits 'it's going to be close' after polling stations close - as party braces for knife-edge result

Labour has admitted tonight's race is going to be "very close" as the party braces for a knife-edge result.

Speaking to PA, party sources insisted they had "a very impressive polling day today" across Gorton and Denton.

The insiders said: "We've spoken to more voters today than we have done any previous by-election polling day.

"But it's fair to say that we do think it's going to be very close."

They claimed that over 1,000 Labour activists had been out across the constituency as voters headed to the polls.

Greek-born local councillor Angeliki Stogia was chosen as the party's candidate after Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham was snubbed by the Labour National Executive Committee.

Reform UK has 'done all it can' to clinch victory in Gorton and Denton, source claims

Reform UK has "done all it can" to clinch victory in the Gorton and Denton by-election, a party source has claimed.

The insider said: "We have had over 1,000 activists out in the seat today, and we have done all we can in our 440th target seat."

Should Matt Goodwin win tonight's hotly contested race, he would become the party's ninth sitting MP.

Reform UK's Matt Goodwin 'deeply concerned' over illegal family voting reports 

Reform UK candidate Matt Goodwin has said he is "deeply concerned" about the reports of illegal family voting emerging from Gorton and Denton.

The former professor said: “Given the reports we are reading in UK media about family voting and sectarianism, I am deeply concerned about the extent to which the Gorton and Denton parliamentary by-election is a free, fair, and democratic election.”

What can be expected throughout the night?

After polling stations across Gorton and Denton closed at 10pm, how long will it be before we find out the winner?

The typical order of business for a by-election of this size goes as follows:

11pm to 1am - After ballot boxes begin to arrive, the "verification" stage begins. Local officials confirm whether the number of ballots matches up with the number of votes cast at polling stations across the constituency.

1am to 3am - After the ballot papers have been verified, the ballot papers from the polling stations are mixed with the postal vote ballot papers. Once this is completed, the counting of votes for candidates begins.

3:30am to 5am - If there is a clear winner, the council's Returning Officer is then able to make an official declaration for the winner. However, if a race is tight, local officials may conduct a recount.

Tonight's race is anticipated to be incredibly close, so a recount could take place and push back confirmation of an official winner until the early hours of Friday morning.

Manchester in-fighting breaks out over illegal family voting as council rages at election observers

Manchester City Council has hit out at Democracy Volunteers after the election monitoring group raised concerns surrounding unprecedented levels of “family voting” during the Gorton and Denton by-election.

A spokesman for the council's acting returning officer insisted that "no such issues have been reported today".

An explosive statement released by the council read: "If Democracy Volunteers were so concerned about alleged issues they could and should have raised them with us during polling hours so that immediate action could be taken.

"We have operated a central by-election hub which was has been rapidly responding to reported issues during the day, in liaison with the police - who had a presence at every polling station - where necessary.

"It is extremely disappointing that Democracy Volunteers have waited until after polls have closed to make such claims."

Election watchdog flags 'unprecedented' family voting levels in Gorton and Denton by-election

An election monitoring group has voiced alarm over what it described as unusually high levels of “family voting” during the Gorton and Denton by-election.

Democracy Volunteers said its observers visited 22 of the constituency’s 45 polling stations, spending up to 45 minutes at each, and witnessed family voting at 15 of those locations.

Across a sample of 545 voters, the group recorded 32 instances of family voting, including nine cases at a single polling station.

John Ault, the organisation’s director, said: “Today we have seen concerningly high levels of family voting in Gorton and Denton.”

He added that it was the highest level the group had recorded in its 10 years of monitoring UK elections and had prompted the rare decision to publish findings on polling day.

By comparison, he said a recent by-election in Runcorn and Helsby saw family voting in 12 per cent of polling stations, affecting around 1 per cent of voters, whereas in Gorton and Denton it was observed in 68 per cent of stations and affected 12 per cent of those monitored.

'I salute you' - Reform UK's candidate Matt Goodwin thanks his supporters during the campaign 

Matt Goodwin, Reform UK's candidate for Gorton & Denton wrote on X: "Polls have closed. I would like to take this moment to thank all Reform members who have supported our campaign.

"As I said, we are not a political party. We are a movement and a family.

"I salute you."

RECAP: The 2024 election results for Gorton & Denton 

In the 2024 general election, the Labour candidate Andrew Gwynne won by a 13,413 majority. The breakdown of the results were:

Labour (Andrew Gwynne) - 18,555 votes, 51%

Reform UK (Lee Moffitt) - 5,142 votes, 14%

Green Party (Amanda Gardener) - 4,810 votes, 13%

Workers Party of Britain (Amir Burney) - 3,766 votes, 10%

Conservative (Ruth Welsh) - 2,888 votes, 8%

Liberal Democrats (John Reid) - 1,399 votes, 4%

RECAP: Today's candidates

The list of candidates who ran for the Gorton & Denton seat are as follows:

Nick Buckley - Advance UK

Hugo Wils - Communist League Election Campaign

Charlotte Cadden - Conservative Party

Hannah Spencer - Green Party

Angeliki Stogia - Labour Party

Jackie Pearcey - Liberal Democrats

Dan Clarke - Libertarian Party

Matt Goodwin - Reform UK

Joseph O'Meachair - Rejoin EU

Sebastian Moore - Social Democratic Party

Sir Oink A-Lot - The Official Monster Raving Loony Party