Murphy beat rival Jerry Swain after securing 5,475 votes compared to Swain’s 3,529.

Official returns show that 9,055 union members voted from 48,146 eligible.

Murphy takes over from acting general secretary George Guy who stepped-in to the breach after former leader Alan Ritchie was stripped of office following voting irregularities.

Ritchie launched an unsuccessful attempt to stop the election after being barred from standing in the re-run race.

Leadership candidate Mick Dooley was also prevented from standing leaving a two horse race.

Dooley has launched a separate challenge to the election process.

Murphy was previously regional secretary for the Midlands.