Labour Party candidate Imran Uddin gained a swing of more than 9% in Wimbledon, only days after coming under investigation for ‘dishonesty’.
Mr Uddin, 37, more than halved Conservative MP’s Stephen Hammond’s majority to only 5,622, from more than 12,000 in 2015.
But solicitor Mr Uddin’s Crescent Law firm was closed down this week and he is under investigation for ‘dishonesty’ by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
However it seems the investigation had no impact on the election and Mr Uddin said: “I think that’s a personal matter.
“I think people are voting on polices. People are intelligent enough to understand where they are putting their vote.”
The investigation into the Mr Uddin – and his partner in the firm Muzammil Abid – is ongoing and he is appealing the SRA’s decision, which has stopped Crescent Law from acting for its clients.
Wimbledon Labour Party said it was disappointed to learn of the investigation and has written to Mr Uddin for clarification.
He was nominated as Labour candidate for Wimbledon last month, and is also a councillor for St Helier ward on Merton Council.
Improving air quality was one of his major priorities in his campaign, which saw him gain 18,324 votes.
Commenting on Mr Hammond’s victory, Mr Uddin said: “He had a 12,000 majority that has been cut significantly, so I think we have to understand where we’re coming from.”
And he urged that spending to public service be maintained at national level and that a hard Brexit be avoided.
He added: “I think the result demonstrates that, in Wimbledon there was a resonance with the Labour Party policies in our manifesto.
“What it shows is that there is a progressive movement within the constituency and I think that next time and in the local elections this will stand us in good stead.
