The Green Party was celebrating “overturning the odds” to push the Liberal Democrats into fifth place in the European elections.

The party, which backs a referendum on the EU but wants to stay in, had three MEPs elected with 8 per cent of the national vote, lifting it into fourth place for the first time.

The Green MEPs Keith Taylor, representing South East England, and Jean Lambert, for London, retained their seats, and Molly Scott Cato was elected for South West England for the first time.

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Natalie Bennett, the leader of the Green Party, called it a good night for the party, though it had hoped to secure six seats. Ms Bennett said the party would now scrutinise the best areas to target in next year’s election.