An awkward moment in between Lord Keir Starmer and newly elected West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker has been picked up by eagle-eyed viewers.
The leader of the labour party miraculously appeared in Birmingham to congratulate Mr Parker, who won the victory Tories'Andy Street in a shocking election battle.
Mr Street had hoped for a third term in the role, but was narrowly defeated by Mr Parker who received a total of 225,590 votes, compared to Mr Street's 224,082.
The shocking turn of events saw Labor supporters gather with their placards as they watched cameras – but there was a clip on BBC news revealed a slightly tense moment between Sir Keir and Mr Parker.
Eager to seal his victory, Sir Keir addressed the crowd as he held the new mayor's shoulder: “We started in Blackpool, we had a 26 per cent swing – and we've finished in the West Midlands with our new mayor , Richard Parker.”
As more cheers broke out, Sir Keir stood with both hands in front of him as the new successor looked at him with his hand outstretched, begging for a shake.
After the brief pause, Mr. Parker quickly retreated, shrugged his shoulders, and looked ahead. Sir Keir added: “There are plenty of interim mayors and councils, including our police and crime commissioners – and an untold story about this election – a fantastic way to end this series of elections.”
When he was announced as the new mayor, he was quick to thank Andy Street after his surprise victory. Mr Parker said: “Thank you also to Andy (Street), you have led this region through some big challenges and for that you deserve great credit.
“You deserve credit for building the Combined Authority into the powerhouse it is today, through the economic shocks, and for leading this region as it emerged from the crisis. Covid.
'You were there to represent our region. I absolutely believe that although our politics are different, Andy, we both have the best interests of the West Midlands at heart.”
Former West Midlands mayor Andy Street said it was his “honor to serve and lead this place for the last seven years”.
He said: 'I hope I did it with dignity and integrity. And I hope that I have left Richard a combined authority and indeed a role that aspiring young leaders will one day want to aspire to.
'In a way I haven't been able to do more than that. It has been a great privilege. But tonight I just wanted to say thank you and goodnight.”