Labour sweeps to victory in Oldham by-election

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's visit to congratulate Jim McMahon on his by-election victory in Oldham lasted less than five minutes.

Standing among a crowd of Labour supporters who had waited patiently in the cold for his arrival, Mr Corbyn made a brief speech praising Mr McMahon before leaving by car.

The party leader refused to answer any questions from the media during the short photo opportunity but hugged Mr McMahon, who said he was "overwhelmed" by his victory.

In his speech, Mr Corbyn said the victory showed how "strong" the Labour party is.

Jim McMahon has tweeted to thank people for their support after securing victory for Labour in the Oldham by-election.

ITV News Correspondent Libby Wiener tweets:

Chancellor George Osborne congratulated Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn on his party's by-election win in Oldham in person after the pair bumped into each other on the train.

Mr Osborne, who was travelling to his constituency of Tatton in Cheshire, was on his way to the buffet car on the train out of London when he spotted Mr Corbyn, who was on his way to Oldham after his party's victory.

The Chancellor congratulated Mr Corbyn on a "very good" result and the two chatted for a few minutes.

Deputy leader of the Labour party Tom Watson has dismissed Nigel Farage's complaints over the by-election as "sour grapes."

The Ukip leader claims the result was "bent" over concerns over postal votes.

But Mr Watson said Farage had said the by-election would be "a referendum on Corbyn" and the Labour leader had "passed with flying colours."

Ukip leader Nigel Farage has said his party will make a formal complaint after claiming the Oldham West and Royton by-election was "bent."

Mr Farage said he was not questioning Labour's victory, but denounced the electoral process as "bent" after claims that people had arrived at polling booths carrying bundles of postal votes.

He said the result raised questions about the conduct of elections in areas with large ethnic minority communities and claimed that in constituencies with large numbers of minority voters who do not speak English "effectively the electoral process is now dead".

"As a veteran of over 30 by-elections I have never seen such a perverse result. Serious questions need to be asked," Mr Farage said.

Ukip Party leader Nigel Farage has claimed the Oldham West and Royton by-election result was "bent" and raised questions over postal votes.

The Ukip leader claimed to have "evidence from an impeccable source"

But the newly elected Labour MP Jim McMahon dismissed Mr Farage's accusations of irregularity, saying "Ukip just need to understand that people have the right to vote for the party that best represents their interests.

"I can say with confidence that we represent every community in Oldham and every community came out and voted Labour."

The Oldham West and Royton by-election results were as follows:

• Labour's Jim McMahon polled 17,322 votes with a majority of 10,837
• Labour's share of the vote increased to 62.7% and there was a 2.39% swing from Ukip to Labour
• Ukip's John Bickley came second on 6,487 votes
• Tory James Daly was third with 2,596, 9.33% of the vote
• Liberal Democrats lost their deposit after Jane Brophy secured 1,024 votes, a 3.68% share

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he is "delighted" following news of the Oldham West and Royton by-election win.