Mark Reckless wins Rochester and Strood for UKIP
Mark Reckless has won the Rochester and Strood by-election for UKIP after forcing the vote when he defected from the Conservative Party.
'Father Christmas' arrives at by-election count on decorated scooter
Independent candidate Mike Barker brightened up proceedings at the Rochester and Strood by-election when he arrived dressed as Father Christmas on a scooter decorated with bright fairy lights.
Mr Barker came 10th, polling just 54 votes.
He later spent time chatting with Hairy Knorm Davidson from the Loony Party. Mr Davidson polled marginally better, picking up 151 votes and coming sixth behind the Lib Dem candidate Geoff Juby.
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Rochester and Strood by-election picture special
As Mark Reckless wins the Rochester and Strood by-election, we look back at the evening in pictures
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Tory defector Mark Reckless wins by-election for UKIP
Mark Reckless will be returning to Parliament as a UKIP MP after securing an historic victory in the Rochester and Strood by-election.