Labour has lost the previously rock-solid seat of Blaenau Gwent to Peter Law.

The maverick beat official Labour candidate Maggie Jones by 9,121 votes.

In a result that indicates grassroots voters feel little loyalty to the party's high command, Labour failed to defend its 19,313 majority.

Until just over a month ago, Law had been a Labour member of the Welsh assembly for the same constituency.

But anger in the constituency about the decision to use an all-women shortlist to select a replacement for the retiring Llew Smith cost the party dearly.

Law said "this is what you get when you don't listen to the people".

"We are not hear to be manipulated and be told what to do," he claimed.

Law, who has a popular following in the seat, resigned from the party to take on union official Jones.

He made a dramatic recovery from a brain tumour just days before deciding to contest the seat.