Controversial left-wing firebrand George Galloway has won the Rochdale by-election.
The former Labour MP and Celebrity Big Brother contestant, who was standing for the Workers Party of Britain, won 12,335 votes, a majority of 5,697.
Independent candidate David Anthony Tully came in second with 6,638 votes, followed by Conservative runner Paul Ellison with 3,731.
Politics Live: George Galloway celebrates victory in Rochdale by-election
Labour had been expected to win the seat until its campaign was thrown into disarray by leaked recordings of their candidate Azhar Ali making alleged antisemitic comments, obtained by the Daily Mail.
Mr Ali won 2,402 votes.
The party withdrew its support from Mr Ali, but by this time it was too late to remove his name from the ballot paper.
Mr Galloway campaigned heavily on the Palestinian cause in Gaza, aiming to use the issue to mobilise Muslim voters in Rochdale.
Speaking to Sky News after his victory, Mr Galloway said: “I believe that the betrayal over Gaza is something that reaches far wider than just the Muslim community.
“And ditto, the plight of Rochford Football Club affects Muslims too.”
Mr Galloway also campaigned on issues like the football club, as well as maternity services and the local accident and emergency situation.
He called for a “grand alliance” to be established to oust current…
