Labour lose fog-hit isles count

Bad weather halts counting in the Western Isles

Labour have failed to hold the Western Isles, losing it to the SNP following a count which was delayed by bad weather.

Alasdair Morrison polled 5,667 votes - 687 behind Nationalist Alasdair Allan, who took 6,354.

Voters in the Western Isles had to wait until Friday lunch-time to find out the results of the elections locally because of bad weather.

A helicopter, which should have been taking votes to the central count in Stornoway, was grounded by fog.

Liberal Democrat Ruaraidh Ferguson came third with 852 votes, while Conservative Dave Petrie polled 752.

The result marked a 5.43% swing from Labour to the SNP.

'Regrettably grounded'

Earlier, returning officer Malcolm Burr said the delay was "regrettable".

He said: "The helicopter which should have brought ballot boxes from Barra and Uist was regrettably grounded by the weather."

The helicopter, chartered from PDG in Inverness, was due to fly to Barra.

Following that, it was due to fly on to Benbecula to uplift the ballot boxes and take them on to Stornoway.

About 120 people had gathered in the sports centre for the result.