
Labour's Joe Benton has retained his place as MP for Bootle, but was unable to attend the declaration.
The 76-year-old won a 20th term in the Sefton constituency with a 52.5% majority, ahead of Liberal Democrats candidate James Murray and the Conservatives' Sohail Qureshi.
Benton was not present at the count following a dog attack during which his finger was bitten off as he embarked on last-minute leafleting ahead of the count at Bootle Town Hall.
Cllr Peter Dowd, leader of the Labour group for Sefton Council, stood in for his colleague, who is currently recovering from the ordeal.
He said: “We were out leafleting and as Joe put his hand through a letter box the dog bit his right index finger.
"As he pulled it out he tore his hand and has had to have some stitches. He’s now got to have the end of his finger reconstructed.
“He’s fine but I think he’s more sore that he can’t be here. We are never complacent about the outcome, but we’re relatively confident.”
Bootle - Full Result
Joe Benton (LAB) - 21,426
Pete Glover (TUSC) - 472
James Murray (LIB) - 6,245
Paul Nuttall (UKIP) - 2,514
Sohail Qureshi (CON) - 3,678
Charles Stewart (BNP) - 942
Turnout - 58.27%
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