BNP leader loses North West seat

British National Party (BNP) leader Nick Griffin lost his seat as both Labour and UKIP each secured three MEPs in the North West region.

Labour topped the poll with 594,063 votes, ahead of second-placed UKIP on 481,932.

The Conservative Party, which secured most votes in 2009, was beaten into third place and ended with two seats.

UKIP gained two seats and Labour, one. The Lib Dems' Chris Davies lost his seat, leaving the party with none.

The new MEPs are Theresa Griffin, Afzal Khan and Julie Ward (Labour), Louise Bours, Paul Nuttall and Steven Woolfe (UKIP) and Jacqueline Foster and Sajjad Karim (Conservatives).

UKIP's Paul Nuttall (right) said the result meant the dawn of "four party politics"

The BNP leader lost his seat as his share of the vote in the North West fell

There were scuffles and angry scenes as Nick Griffin arrived for the count

UKIP's deputy leader Mr Nuttall, speaking after the declaration at Manchester Town Hall, said: "People are rejecting the failed three old parties.

"They have given away something that was never theirs to give away, that's the sovereignty of our country.

"The age of four-party politics has arrived."

'Message of hate'

Labour's re-elected North West MEP Theresa Griffin said: "The BNP have left the building.

"I'm proud Labour has topped the poll in the North West region. Labour will always be on your side, fighting for jobs and growth."

Protesters chanted "Nazi scum" as candidates arrived for the count

Labour MEP Afzal Khan, who was Manchester's first Asian lord mayor in 2005, said he was "delighted" with his election victory at the expense of the BNP.

He said: "That was my aim, that is what I wanted to achieve. I think he's got a message of hate and this is a difficult time and we need a message of hope and the people of the North West have given a clear message.

"He's [Mr Griffin] done nothing for the people of the North West. His whole message was one of hate."

Earlier, scuffles broke out as Mr Griffin arrived at Manchester Town Hall for the count with protesters waving placards shouting "Nazi scum".

Seats in the European Parliament are allocated according to the D'Hondt system, a type of proportional representation.

BNP leader loses North West seat

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