Christopher Leslie

Christopher Leslie has lost his seat in one of the most senior scalps to be claimed by the Conservatives.

Defending a precarious majority of 1,428 in Shipley, the constitutional affairs minister was defeated by Conservative candidate Philip Davies.

But Davies' new majority is now an extremely slender 422, secured on a two per cent to the Tories.

Leslie's defeat is a notable blow to Labour, as the 33-year-old had seen a swift rise through the government's ranks.

Swept into power in Labour's 1997 landslide, Leslie was soon appointed PPS to Lord Falconer before going on to hold posts in the Cabinet Office and the ODPM.

Before he lost his seat he had been widely tipped as a potential major player in a future Labour government.