Tooting by-election liveblog

01.48: Here’s the full statement from new Tooting MP Dr Rosena Allin-Khan:

“Given the horrific events of today and the shocking death of Jo Cox, I do not intend to make a speech. Instead, I would like to make a short statement.

“First of all, I would like to give my profound thanks to the people of Tooting for electing me as their MP.

“But my thoughts and prayers are with Jo’s husband and her children. She was a proud and passionate campaigner who will be desperately missed.

“Jo’s death reminds us that our democracy is precious but fragile – we must never forget to cherish it. Thousands of people voted today and we are all here in recognition of our democratic values.

“I would like to thank the police for all the hard work they have done today, not just here but across the country.

“I would like to thank the returning officer and staff for their efficient and smooth running of this by-election, and I would also like to thank my agent and his campaign staff.

“I would like to thank the other candidates for the respectful way in which this by-election has been fought.

“And lastly, I would like to thank my family and friends for their love and support.

“Thank you very much.”

01.30: Dr Rosena Allin-Khan did not make a victory speech, but made a short statement about Jo Cox, saying “Our democracy is precious but fragile – we must never forget to cherish it. We are all here in recognition of our democratic values.”

01.28: This is the result in percentage: LAB 55.9 (+8.7) CON 36.1 (-5.8) GRN 2.6 (-2.5) LD 2.6 (-1.3) UKIP 1.6 (-1.3) OTH 1.3 (+1.3)

01.22: LABOUR HOLD. Dr Rosena Allin-Khan wins with a majority of 6,157.

Here are the results we’ve managed to get so far: Labour17,894; Tory 11,537; Green 830; UKIP 507.

01.17: Here we go. Candidates taking to the stage now. Result imminent.

12.49: There is a discrepancy in the ballots and the bundles are being recounted. Expect a result now sometime after one o’clock. They are just checking numbers so it should not take too long.

12.33: At the beginning of the night I said a majority of 800-1,200 would be respectable on low turnout. Turnout was higher than I expected (but still much lower than last year) and the majority is looking to be about 6,000.

That’s a really impressive result and all credit must go to Clive Efford MP and London Labour staffers for an impressive campaign.

12.18: Result should be in the next half hour. Looking likely to be a decisive victory for Labour’s Rosena Allin-Khan.

12.05: A source has just told me that we could expect the result within the hour: probably between half twelve and quarter to one. Votes are already being put into trays, giving us a much shorter liveblog night than anticipated…

11.38: Some footage from the two minute silence at the count. The mood, especially for Labour activists, is understandably sombre.

11.35: That’s quite a high turnout for a by-election in poor weather, and it is sounding like positive news for Labour – although nothing can be confirmed concretely at this point.

We’re expecting to get a bit more information around midnight.

11.25: Turnout just confirmed: 42.5 per cent. That’s down from 69.7 per cent last year.

11.15: What kind of majority can we expect if Labour win? Depending on turnout, somewhere in the region of 800-1,200 would be a respectable result.

11.02: A two minute silence for the memory of Jo Cox has just taken place at the count.

10.30: Poor weather in the capital may be one reason for a low turnout today, as well as a widely predicted Labour victory, which is partly on the back of Sadiq Khan’s honeymoon period as Mayor of London. Were it not for that, the seat would have looked a lot trickier for his replacement as Labour’s candidate.

Khan increased his majority slightly in 2015, but a sub-3,000 majority in an increasingly gentrified seat could spell long term trouble for the party.

However, Allin-Khan is an A&E specialist in the local hospital and grew up in the seat, which is always likely to prove popular.

But for how long? The seat could well disappear in the boundary changes.

10.10: As yet, we don’t have an indication of when the result might be announced, but we are not expecting an early night.

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan has been widely expected to hold the seat for Labour throughout the campaign, and there is no hint of an upset afoot. Sources suggested to me earlier that there was a fairly low turnout, but it’s still unlikely to cause a problem for Labour’s 2,842 majority.

10.00: The polls have just closed in Tooting, where the by-election to replace Sadiq Khan took place today.

Voting has of course been overshadowed by today’s events, but the returning officer today said that “our duty our responsibility to continue with the by-election, but clearly a very dark shadow cast over proceedings”. The flag over Wandsworth Town Hall, where tonight’s count is taking place, is being flown at half mast and counting will pause for a two-minute silence at 11pm in honour of Jo Cox.