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Salmond hails 'historic' Euro win Salmond hails 'historic' Euro win
(20 minutes later)
The SNP is on track to win the largest share of the European election vote in Scotland for the first time. The SNP has won the largest share of the European election vote in Scotland for the first time.
The Nationalists took 28.8% of the vote - a 10% increase - ahead of Labour's 20.8%. The Tories were third on 16.9% and the Lib Dems came fourth, on 11.5%. The Nationalists took 29% of the vote - a 10% increase - ahead of Labour's 20.8%. The Tories were third on 16.9% and the Lib Dems came fourth, on 11.5%.
The result means the SNP and Labour are set to return two MEPs each, with one each for the Tories and Lib Dems, with the Western Isles yet to declare.The result means the SNP and Labour are set to return two MEPs each, with one each for the Tories and Lib Dems, with the Western Isles yet to declare.
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond hailed the result as "historic".Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond hailed the result as "historic".
Labour was bracing itself for a bad result across the UK, as pressure continues on Gordon Brown's leadership. At UK level, Labour suffered its worst post-war election result as it was beaten into third place by UKIP.
Its share of the vote at the European elections was just 15.3%.
The results have sent shockwaves through UK politics and led to renewed calls for Gordon Brown to quit as PM.
This is not the breakthrough the SNP would have hoped for David MartinLabour MEPThis is not the breakthrough the SNP would have hoped for David MartinLabour MEP
Notable results in Scotland saw the SNP taking first place in Edinburgh with the Tories second, Labour third and the Lib Dems fourth.Notable results in Scotland saw the SNP taking first place in Edinburgh with the Tories second, Labour third and the Lib Dems fourth.
And the Tories were first in East Renfrewshire - the area which covers the Westminster seat held by Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy - with the SNP second and Labour third.And the Tories were first in East Renfrewshire - the area which covers the Westminster seat held by Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy - with the SNP second and Labour third.
Mr Salmond said the SNP had won in 21 of the 31 declared local authority areas.Mr Salmond said the SNP had won in 21 of the 31 declared local authority areas.
He said: "This is a historic result for the SNP - up 10 points from the last European election - and the first time we have ever won a UK-wide election in Scotland, with a much greater margin of victory than even the Holyrood win two years ago.He said: "This is a historic result for the SNP - up 10 points from the last European election - and the first time we have ever won a UK-wide election in Scotland, with a much greater margin of victory than even the Holyrood win two years ago.
"In the contest between two governments - the SNP in Scotland, and Labour at Westminster - the people of Scotland have delivered a massive vote of confidence in the SNP Government, and a massive rejection of Labour.""In the contest between two governments - the SNP in Scotland, and Labour at Westminster - the people of Scotland have delivered a massive vote of confidence in the SNP Government, and a massive rejection of Labour."
David Martin, who is likely to be returned as a Labour MEP in Scotland, said: "Our share of the vote is disappointing - I'm not going to run away from that."David Martin, who is likely to be returned as a Labour MEP in Scotland, said: "Our share of the vote is disappointing - I'm not going to run away from that."
EURO ELECTIONS - SCOTTISH RESULTS, MINUS WESTERN ISLES SNP - 318,360 votes (29%)Labour - 228,731 votes (20.8%)Tory - 185,283 votes (16.9%)Lib Dem 126,749 votes (11.5%)Swing to SNP - 7.4%Turnout - 28%EURO ELECTIONS - SCOTTISH RESULTS, MINUS WESTERN ISLES SNP - 318,360 votes (29%)Labour - 228,731 votes (20.8%)Tory - 185,283 votes (16.9%)Lib Dem 126,749 votes (11.5%)Swing to SNP - 7.4%Turnout - 28%
But he added: "This is not the breakthrough the SNP would have hoped for - 30% - given the backdrop to this election with the expenses problems in Westminster, an economy in recession a Labour Party, frankly, not as united in advance of this election as it should have been."But he added: "This is not the breakthrough the SNP would have hoped for - 30% - given the backdrop to this election with the expenses problems in Westminster, an economy in recession a Labour Party, frankly, not as united in advance of this election as it should have been."
Willie Rennie, the Liberal Democrat MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, said he was "pretty pleased" with the result.Willie Rennie, the Liberal Democrat MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, said he was "pretty pleased" with the result.
He said: "In European elections, we don't tend to do as well as we do in other elections like locals or the general. But this time we've held up our vote."He said: "In European elections, we don't tend to do as well as we do in other elections like locals or the general. But this time we've held up our vote."
Shadow Scottish Secretary David Mundell, said: "I'm particularly pleased that we've polled very well in the areas that we need to win additional seats at Westminster - East Renfrewshire, Dumfries and Galloway, the Borders and seats like Edinburgh South."Shadow Scottish Secretary David Mundell, said: "I'm particularly pleased that we've polled very well in the areas that we need to win additional seats at Westminster - East Renfrewshire, Dumfries and Galloway, the Borders and seats like Edinburgh South."
Scotland, which is counted as a single region in European parliamentary terms, will return six MEPs - one fewer than in the last parliament.Scotland, which is counted as a single region in European parliamentary terms, will return six MEPs - one fewer than in the last parliament.
Voter turnout in Scotland - without results from the Western Isles, which does not count votes on its Sabbath - was 28%, with a 7.4% swing to the SNP.Voter turnout in Scotland - without results from the Western Isles, which does not count votes on its Sabbath - was 28%, with a 7.4% swing to the SNP.
Candidates from across Scotland will hear their fate when the official announcement is made from the historic Mercat Cross, in Edinburgh, on Monday morning.Candidates from across Scotland will hear their fate when the official announcement is made from the historic Mercat Cross, in Edinburgh, on Monday morning.