Controversial former MP George Galloway has been told to honour his promise to "eat my hat" after a by-election defeat in England.
Mr Galloway claimed last year that he was looking to stand as an MP in Lanarkshire, in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency, as calls grew for 'Covidiot' MP Margaret Ferrier to stand down.
The former Labour man even raised over £12,000 via an online fundraiser, despite the fact a by-election had not been called.
The money was instead used on campaigning for Galloway's Alliance 4 Unity party at the Scottish Parliament elections in May, in which they failed to win a seat.
Now Mr Galloway has suffered another defeat in the Batley and Spen by-election, this time representing the Workers Party of Britain .
During campaigning he stated to the Guardian columnist Owen Jones that he would eat his trademark fedora hat if Labour did not come third.
However, Labour candidate Kim Leadbetter won the seat by 323 votes.
The battle for the seat featured numerous accusations of dirty tricks and hostile campaigning across parties.
Edinburgh South MP Ian Murray has now slammed Mr Galloway.
He said: "Galloway’s disgusting and divisive politics have been rejected again by voters.
"While he is eating his hat he should reflect on why his attempt to tear a community apart has failed.
"I’m delighted for Kim who will be a fantastic MP and this result shows that voters want representatives who will work to bring people and communities together.”
Mr Galloway has said he intends to challenge the result in court, claiming that he was defamed during campaigning.
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