Lib Dems taking legal advice after narrow loss

SNP hold on to North East Fife by two votes as request for fourth recount rebuffed

A formal challenge to the outcome of the North East Fife constituency in the general election has not been ruled out after Liberal Democrat requests for a fourth recount were rebuffed.

Stephen Gethins retained his seat for the SNP by just two votes following hours of confusion and controversy at the count in Glenrothes which saw ballot papers recounted three times.

But while Fife Council chief executive Steve Grimmond has defended his decision to call a halt to proceedings when he did, defeated Liberal Democrat candidate Elizabeth Riches confirmed the party is taking legal advice on the matter – and could yet fight the result.

Mr Gethins triumphed with 13,743 votes compared to Mrs Riches’ 13,741.

It was the joint-third narrowest victory in UK general election history, although the initial result came out in favour of Mrs Riches by a margin of three votes.

A recount was carried out which had the Lib Dems in front by two, and another recount was called for.

That then had the SNP in front by two, which prompted the third and final recount which again saw the SNP out in front by two.

Mrs Riches said: “As a party we made a logical request to the returning officer for a further recount and there’s nothing really new to say – we are taking legal advice and until we hear that then there’s not much more I can say.

“I don’t know how it will work, but we will take the legal advice and see what happens.”

Mr Grimmond set out his stance yesterday.

“The original counting of votes for North East Fife resulted in a majority of three votes for the Liberal Democrat candidate,” he said.

“Following requests for recounts, the votes were then recounted three times with the final two recounts having exactly the same result – a majority of two votes for the SNP candidate.

“In terms of the powers open to me as returning officer, I refused a request for a fourth recount in view of the fact that the previous two recount results were consistent and there was nothing to suggest that the overall integrity of the counting process had been compromised in any way.

“Accordingly, I declared Stephen Gethins to be elected to serve in Parliament for the North East Fife constituency.”

Mr Gethins said: “I am very grateful to everybody who voted for me on Thursday.

“I am now focused on getting on with the job representing everyone in North East Fife at Westminster regardless of how they voted.

“I would, once again, like to express my thanks to the staff at the count who were so diligent in counting the votes and to Elizabeth Riches and the other candidates for a hard-fought election.”

I don’t know how it will work, but we will take the legal advice and see what happens. ELIZABETH RICHES

Picture: Steven Brown. Smiles all round following the count at the Michael Woods Centre in Glenrothes as Stephen Gethins, left, retained the North East Fife seat for the SNP with a two-vote margin over Elizabeth Riches of the Liberal Democrats.