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Salmond hails 'historic' Euro win Salmond hails 'historic' Euro win
(20 minutes later)
The SNP has won the largest share of the European election vote in Scotland for the first time, beating Labour into second place.The SNP has won the largest share of the European election vote in Scotland for the first time, beating Labour into second place.
The SNP took 29.1% of the vote - a 10 point increase from the 2004 election - 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 point increase from the 2004 election - ahead of Labour's 20.8%. The Tories took 16.8% and the Lib Dems 11.5%.
The result means the SNP and Labour have returned 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 result as "historic".Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond hailed 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.
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".
Read Brian Taylor's blogRead Brian Taylor's blog
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.
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.
SNP leader Alex Salmond says the results of the European election are "very exciting"
Mr Murphy described election showing as "rubbish".Mr Murphy described election showing as "rubbish".
Mr Salmond 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.Mr Salmond 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.
BBC Scotland's political editor Brian Taylor reports on the election results
"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 was again returned as a Labour MEP in Scotland, said the result was not the breakthrough the SNP had hoped for - and also hit out at his own party.David Martin, who was again returned as a Labour MEP in Scotland, said the result was not the breakthrough the SNP had hoped for - and also hit out at his own party.
"I think it is appalling that, during election week, senior members of the Labour party chose to walk out of government, criticise the prime minister and generally undermine our campaign," said Mr Martin."I think it is appalling that, during election week, senior members of the Labour party chose to walk out of government, criticise the prime minister and generally undermine our campaign," said Mr Martin.
"I just don't think that shows respect for the candidates we had up and down the country - or respect for the ordinary Labour party members who were out knocking on doors.""I just don't think that shows respect for the candidates we had up and down the country - or respect for the ordinary Labour party members who were out knocking on doors."
EURO ELECTIONS - SCOTTISH RESULTS SNP - 321,007 votes (29.1%)Labour - 229,853 votes (20.8%)Tory - 185,794 votes (16.8%)Lib Dem - 127,038 (11.5%)Greens - 80,442 (7.3%)UKIP - 57,788 (5.2%)BNP - 27,174 (2.5%)Voter turnout - 28.6%Rejected ballots - 4,490 Regional voting breakdownEURO ELECTIONS - SCOTTISH RESULTS SNP - 321,007 votes (29.1%)Labour - 229,853 votes (20.8%)Tory - 185,794 votes (16.8%)Lib Dem - 127,038 (11.5%)Greens - 80,442 (7.3%)UKIP - 57,788 (5.2%)BNP - 27,174 (2.5%)Voter turnout - 28.6%Rejected ballots - 4,490 Regional voting breakdown
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."
Mr Martin will be joined by party colleague Catherine Stihler in the European Parliament, as well as Ian Hudghton and Alyn Smith of the SNP and the Tories' Struan Stevenson - all of whom have previously served as MEPs.Mr Martin will be joined by party colleague Catherine Stihler in the European Parliament, as well as Ian Hudghton and Alyn Smith of the SNP and the Tories' Struan Stevenson - all of whom have previously served as MEPs.
The former MSP and Scottish minister George Lyon, who lost his seat in the 2007 Holyrood election, was returned as Scotland's sole Liberal Democrat MEP.The former MSP and Scottish minister George Lyon, who lost his seat in the 2007 Holyrood election, was returned as Scotland's sole Liberal Democrat MEP.
Scotland returned one fewer MEP than in the last parliament.Scotland returned one fewer MEP than in the last parliament.
Voter turnout in Scotland stood at 28.6%, while there were 4,490 rejected papers.Voter turnout in Scotland stood at 28.6%, while there were 4,490 rejected papers.