Momentum claims it won Clegg's seat

THE LEFT-WING campaign group Momentum has claimed its activities were responsible for Liberal Democrat former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg losing his Yorkshire seat.

By The Newsroom

Published 11th Jun 2017, 16:24 BST

Updated 13th Jun 2017, 15:28 BST

Nick Clegg lost his Sheffield Hallam seat last week

The group, which grew out of Jeremy Corbyn’s campaign to become Labour leader, said it had mobilised thousands of members and used social media to secure seats previously considered “unwinnable”.

New Sheffield Hallam MP Jared O’Mara said: “The contribution of Momentum members in South Yorkshire and beyond was exemplary.

“It was a blessing to have them on board campaigning to get me elected.”

Mr O’Mara’s victory brought an end to Mr Clegg’s 12 years as MP for the constituency.

A Lib Dem source familiar with the campaign ridiculed Momentum’s claim, pointing to the rise in the Conservative vote at the expense of the Lib Dems as a major factor in Mr Clegg losing his Commons seat.