The Tory candidate in the Tamworth by-election made a hasty exit after it was announced Labour had won in a moment caught on camera.
Andrew Cooper rushed off stage and out of the nearest fire exit as Labour rival Sarah Edwards began her victory speech after the result was announced at around 2.45am.
Ms Edwards defeated Mr Cooper in the previously safe Tory seat by a majority of 1,316.
The Conservatives were defending a 19,600 majority, but a 23.9 percentage point swing to Labour saw that wiped out.
Ms Edwards said of Mr Cooper’s exit: “We have seen his true colours, it is a shame.”
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