Challenge to poll result dismissed

A LEGAL challenge to the result of the by-election won by Reform UK has been dismissed.

- BY ELEANOR BARLOW

politician Sarah Pochin, who won the Runcorn and Helsby by-election in May. Inset, Graham Moore, who challenged the election result. Main pic: Ben Whitley/PA

(Ben Whitley/PA)

English Constitution Party candidate Graham Moore lodged the parliamentary election petition following the Runcorn and Helsby by-election in May, in which he came last out of 15 candidates.

The vote, held after ex-Labour MP Mike Amesbury stood down following a conviction for punching a constituent, was won by Reform UK candidate Sarah Pochin with 12,645 votes, just six more than Labour.

In a judgment handed down, the petition was dismissed and Mr Moore was ordered to pay costs for the two respondents, Ms Pochin and acting returning officer Stephen Young.