Jane Kennedy voted Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner

Jane Kennedy was an MP until the 2010 General Election Credit: PA

The former Labour MP and Northern Ireland minister Jane Kennedy has been elected Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner.

She won in the first round with 70,884 votes, around 56% of the vote but after only 12.7% of eligible voters turned out.

The Conservative candidate Geoff Gubb came second with 15,870 votes, around 12% of the votes cast.

In her victory speech from the podium, the new Police and Crime Commissioner for Merseyside, who was Liverpool Wavertree MP until the last general election, said: "It's an election that probably none of us wanted but I do want to thank all of those who have voted despite the low turnout.

"I appreciate their commitment to democracy in what is an important election."

The final tally for Merseyside was: Jane Kennedy (Lab) 70,884; Geoff Gubb (C) 15,870; Kiron Reid (Ind) 14,379; Paula Keaveney (LD) 9,192; Hilary Jones (UKIP) 8,704; Paul Rimmer (ED) 7,142.