General election 2019: Lib Dems hold on in Edinburgh West

Christine Jardine increased her majority | jpimedia

LIB Dem Christine Jardine held onto her Edinburgh West seat with an increased majority despite the SNP surge across Scotland.

But her voice broke as she made her speech at the count because only a few minutes earlier she learned Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson had lost her seat.

She said: "Much as I am proud to be able to represent Edinburgh West again, it's a bitter-sweet victory because I feel parliament has lost one of its great servants. British politics will be the poorer for the loss of Jo Swinson.

"We have a bit of a battle on our hands now against nationalism both sides of the border. It's a campaign I will not shrink from.

"We will also hold this government to account over climate change, education and health and attacking the poverty that's become such an ill in British society."

Ms Jardine boosted her majority from 2988 to 3769 over the SNP while the Conservative and Labour votes fell.

SNP candidate Sarah Masson said the party had increased its share of the vote and she was happy was happy with the campaign and the positive message they had put across.

"The main thing is the SNP has won across Scotland tonight."