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BNP leader Nick Griffin loses North West Euro seat BNP leader Nick Griffin loses North West Euro seat
(about 4 hours later)
British National Party (BNP) leader Nick Griffin lost his seat as both Labour and UKIP each secured three MEPs in the North West region.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.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.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.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).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 deputy leader Mr Nuttall, speaking after the declaration at Manchester Town Hall, said: "People are rejecting the failed three old parties. Scuffles broke out as Mr Griffin arrived for the count at Manchester Town Hall, with protestors waving placards and shouting "Nazi scum".
He had to duck placards hurled at him and dodge attackers who broke through police barriers, with officers rugby-tackling some of them, before Mr Griffin was taken into the safety of the building.
'We'll be back'
Speaking after the declaration he said: "It has been a privilege to serve the people of the North West over the last five years.
"I hope the people who are elected take the responsibility seriously."
Mr Griffin blamed UKIP for his electoral defeat telling Sky News they were now the protest party of choice.
"We're out tonight but we'll be back. We set the agenda, we're the ones who broke the taboo about immigration - we've allowed UKIP to do what they've done but when people see they don't deliver their votes will crumble," he said.
UKIP's deputy leader Mr Nuttall, speaking after Sunday night's declaration, 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."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.""The age of four-party politics has arrived."
'Message of hate''Message of hate'
Labour's re-elected North West MEP Theresa Griffin said: "The BNP have left the building.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.""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."
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.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 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.""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". A poor night for the Liberal Democrats saw the party come in at fifth place in the North West - behind the Green Party.
But party president Tim Farron remained defiant, and praised his party for standing up to UKIP's Eurosceptic stance.
"Somebody had to have the backbone to stand up to UKIP and take them on," he said.
"I'm proud. I want to win elections, but I want us to do the right thing even more."
Seats in the European Parliament are allocated according to the D'Hondt system, a type of proportional representation.Seats in the European Parliament are allocated according to the D'Hondt system, a type of proportional representation.