Jim McMahon takes seat in House of Commons

  • Granada
Jim McMahon with partner Charlene Duerden Credit: PA

Labour's newest MP has taken his seat in the Commons after he trounced Ukip in the race to replace former minister Michael Meacher.

Jim McMahon arrived in the chamber during justice department question-time and waited for his introduction as the new Oldham West and Royton MP.

He was accompanied by his campaign manager Andrew Gwynne, the Labour MP for Denton and Reddish, and party colleague and fellow Greater Manchester representative Angela Rayner (Ashton-under-Lyne).

Mr McMahon was cheered by Labour MPs as he took part in the swearing-in ceremony.

He took the oath, saying:

The MP then signed his name - prompting shadow Treasury minister Rob Marris to joke he was "on the payroll" - and shared a few words with Commons Speaker John Bercow.

A by-election was triggered after Mr Meacher, 75, died in October following a short illness.

He was a stalwart of the Labour frontbench for almost two decades and a prominent environmental campaigner.

McMahon - the leader of Oldham Council - polled 17,209 votes, with Ukip's John Bickley trailing in second on 6,487, a majority of 10,722.

Labour's share of the vote increased by more than seven points to 62.1% in the by-election and there was a 2.27% swing from Ukip to Labour.