'I GOT OVEREXCITED'
Nicola Sturgeon apologises for fist-pumping celebration of Jo Swinson losing her seat after dreadful election campaign
NICOLA Sturgeon has apologised for her fist-pumping celebration as Jo Swinson lost her seat to the SNP by 149 voters.
The party leader quit on Friday morning after being savaged for her below-par campaign performance that saw her lose her Dunbartonshire East seat with 19,523 votes to Amy Callaghan's 19,672.
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As the result was announced on election night, SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon was filmed punching her fists in the air.
And the Scot has since apologised for her reaction, telling Sky: "Sorry, I got overexcited".
She said: "I understand more than most, the pressures and the challenges of leadership and to lose her seat tonight when she's lead her party through this campaign will be a bitter blow for her."
The SNP leader had faced widespread criticism for her joyful reaction, with Nigel Farage describing it was "graceless and nasty".
Lib Dem MP Layla Moran, who held Oxford West and Abingdon, added: "This is so unacceptably ungracious."
Ms Swinson's loss is a blow to the Lib Dems after she was only just elected as leader this year.
Sorry, I got overexcited
Nicola Sturgeon
In the early hours of the morning the Lib Dems announced she would resign and a leadership election would be triggered in the New Year.
Meanwhile Ed Davey and Sal Brinton will be acting leaders.
In a speech in the afternoon, she said she is "proud that Liberal Democrats were the unapologetic voice of Remain" in the election and "does not regret trying everything to avoid Brexit."
She called on the party to "regroup and reflect".
Speaking after her defeat this morning, she said the Lib Dems would continue to promote openness and fairness.
In an emotional address, she told crowds: "I still believe that we as a country can be warm and generous inclusive and open by working together with our nearest neighbours we can achieve so much more."
Her pledge to cancel Brexit on day one of a Lib Dem government saw the party slide in the polls throughout the campaign - triggering a last-minute pivot to backing a second referendum.
Meanwhile flip-flipping Chuka Umunna - who went from Labour to Change UK to Lib Dem ahead of the election - sensationally lost his seat.
Chuka suffered a dramatic fall from grace this morning after once being heavily tipped to become Labour leader.
Boris Johnson was applauded and cheered by supporters as he arrived in Uxbridge alongside girlfriend Carrie.
Just after 5am this morning the PM's majority was confirmed as he made it over the line to formally win the election.
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BIG NAMES OUT
Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson lost to the SNP in Dunbartonshire East.
Shadow Secretary of State for Employment Rights Laura Pidcock lost to the Tories in North West Durham.
Former Labour shadow chancellor and independent Chris Leslie lost to Labour in Nottingham East.
DUP Westminster leader Nigel Dodds lost to Sinn Fein in Belfast North.
Chuka Umunna, now standing as a Lib Dem lost in the Cities of London and Westminster to the Tories.
Shadow Brexit minister Jenny Chapman lost to the Tories in Darlington.
Shadow Environment Secretary Sue Hayman lost to the Tories in Workington.
Former Tory mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith lost to the Lib Dems in Richmond.
Former Minister Caroline Flint lost to the Tories in Don Valley.
Meanwhile, Mr Corbyn said he will step down as Labour boss before the next election after failing to win a second poll in a row - and taking the party to its worst result in 40 years.
He said as he won his seat in Islington North: "I want to also make it clear that I will not lead the party in any future general election campaign.
"I will discuss with our party to ensure there is a process now of reflection on this result and on the policies that the party will take going forward.
"And I will lead the party during that period to ensure that discussion takes place and we move on into the future."
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The third General Election in less than five years has been largely dominated by the 2016 vote to leave the European Union - with Labour pledging to give voters another say in a second referendum, while the Tories have vowed to take the UK out of the EU next month.
The last election in the UK in 2017 saw a 68.8 per cent turnout, higher than at the 2015 and 2010 elections - with bookies offering 6-4 odds on a 65-70 per cent turnout this year.
Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson loses Dunbartonshire East seat to SNP's Amy Callaghan
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