The Scottish National party (SNP) has conceded defeat in the formerly safe seat of Aberdeen South in a shock loss to the Scottish Conservatives.
A senior source at the SNP told PA it was the “Tories’ night”, but pledged to “win it back in 2029”.
The Tories threw significant resources into the contest, with its UK party leader, Kemi Badenoch, visiting the constituency three times as they sought to make it a battle over increased North Sea oil and gas production.
Turnout was 31.4% – down almost 30 points from the general election.
The byelection was called after the incumbent MP, Stephen Flynn, stood down to take up a seat at the Scottish parliament in May. He had held Aberdeen South in the 2024 general election with a 3,758-vote majority.
The law does not allow people to hold seats in the Scottish parliament and the House of Commons simultaneously.
The SNP’s defeat suggests some voters rebelled against the party over Peter Murrell’s theft of £400,000 in party funds while he was chief executive and married to Nicola Sturgeon, the former first minister.
More details soon …