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Salmond hails 'historic' Euro win Salmond hails 'historic' Euro win
(10 minutes later)
The SNP has won 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.
Unofficial calculations showed the SNP took 29.1% of the vote - a 10% increase - ahead of Labour's 20.8%. The Tories took 16.8% and the Lib Dems 11.5%. The SNP took 29.1% of the vote - a 10% increase - ahead of Labour's 20.8%. The Tories took 16.8% and the Lib Dems 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. The result means the SNP and Labour have returned two MEPs each, with one each for the Tories and Lib Dems.
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond hailed the election result as "historic".Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond hailed the election result as "historic".
At UK level, Labour suffered its worst post-war election result as it was beaten into third place by UKIP.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%.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.The results have sent shockwaves through UK politics and led to renewed calls for Gordon Brown to quit as PM.
Brian TaylorPolitical editor I'm filing from the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, where the results have just been declared.Brian TaylorPolitical editor I'm filing from the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, where the results have just been declared.
As billed, two seats each for the SNP and Labour, one for the Tories, one for the Lib Dems.As billed, two seats each for the SNP and Labour, one for the Tories, one for the Lib Dems.
The SNP's Ian Hudghton described it as a great victory for his party, while Labour's David Martin said his party had managed to hold onto two seats during what he called "unnecessary in-fighting".The SNP's Ian Hudghton described it as a great victory for his party, while Labour's David Martin said his party had managed to hold onto two seats during what he called "unnecessary in-fighting".
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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."
Fewer MEPs EURO ELECTIONS - SCOTTISH VOTING SHARE SNP - 29.1%Labour - 20.8%Tory - 16.8%Lib Dem - 11.5%Greens - 7.3%UKIP - 5.2%
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."
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 returned six MEPs - one fewer than in the last parliament.Scotland, which is counted as a single region in European parliamentary terms, will returned six MEPs - one fewer than in the last parliament.