The battle in Stamford Hill saw the Tories’ Mr Lisser secure 1,456 votes, against Sales’ 1,192. Turnout in the ward was the highest of the four by-elections at 46 per cent, with 2,943 votes cast in total. Johnny Dixon for the Greens came third with 189 votes, while the Lib Dem’s Anthony Harms came last with 59.
Mr Lisser did not attend the count, where there was a brief battle of wills between Conservative councillor Simche Steinberger, who attempted to accept the vote on Mr Lisser’s behalf, and returning officer and council chief executive Tim Shields, who blocked him from speaking from the dais as he was neither a candidate nor an agent.