Tories unseat SNP Deputy Leader Angus Robertson in Moray

SNP depute leader Angus Robertson has lost his Moray seat to the Conservatives.

Mr Robertson, who was the party’s leader at Westminster, was beaten by former MSP Douglas Ross by 18,478 votes to 22,637.

The nationalist had held the seat since 2001 and was defending a majority of 9,065.

Look at that swing! Well done Douglas. https://t.co/bwLcvPP2XP

— Ruth Davidson (@RuthDavidsonMSP) June 9, 2017

In his victory speech, Mr Ross said: “I’d like to pay tribute to my fellow candidates. Could I also say to Angus, thank-you on behalf of the people of Moray for your outstanding service to the people of Moray over the last 16 years.”

Labour claimed the first scalp of the election in Scotland, ousting the SNP in Rutherglen and Hamilton West.

Gerard Killen claimed the seat for Jeremy Corbyn’s party by winning 19,101 votes, defeating the SNP’s Margaret Ferrier, who had taken the seat in 2015, on 18,836 votes.

Congratulations @Gedk. Labour MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West. #GE2017 pic.twitter.com/ayKVAIftMB

— Scottish Labour (@scottishlabour) June 9, 2017

In other defeats, veteran nationalist Mike Weir was ousted by the Conservatives. He had held the Angus seat since 2001, but was defeated by Kirstene Hair, who took more than 45% of the vote.

The Conservatives increased their share of the vote in Angus by just over 16% – while Nicola Sturgeon’s party saw its support slump by almost the same amount.

The result came after an exit poll suggested the SNP could lose 22 seats across Scotland.

The nationalists had swept the board in 2015, winning 56 of the 59 seats up for grabs.

Following the results, Conservative Scottish Secretary David Mundell said: “It’s becoming increasingly clear the SNP bubble has burst.”

He told BBC Scotland: “In the last two elections, the Scottish Parliament and council elections, the SNP vote has been down and that has been replicated tonight.

“It’s very clear why that is. People across Scotland don’t want another divisive independence referendum and Nicola Sturgeon has gone from being a figurehead in Scotland to being somebody that ordinary voters across Scotland deeply dislike.”

In Paisley and Renfrewshire South, the SNP’s Mhairi Black was re-elected with 16,964 votes – although the party’s support in the seat fell by 10%.

Ms Black became the youngest MP when she won the seat in 2015 at the age of 20, ousting then Labour shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander.

Gavin Newlands has held the neighbouring Paisley and Renfrewshire North seat for the SNP.