Sir David's three-year-old French Bulldog was this morning announced as the winner out of more than 20 entrants. Conservative MPs Andrew Rosindell and Mark Francois took Vivienne to the competition.

       The show, which celebrates the bond between dogs and their owners, is run by Dogs Trust and The Kennel Club.

       Dogs Trust said Vivienne was a "fitting winner" in memory of "devoted animal lover" Sir David.

       When the Southend West MP nominated his pet, he said: "Every time I walk into the room Vivienne throws herself at me, lies on their back with her legs in the air to be tickled.

       "But before that she always brings a toy so she is of a generous, giving nature.

       "If I am feeling down, the dog lifts my spirits as she is always pleased to see me and she makes me smile."

       On why she should be crowned Westminster Dog of the Year, Sir David added: "Because she is an enthusiastic supporter of Southend becoming a city!

       "Also, she is political royalty and wears a crown really well."

       Eddisbury MP Edward Timpson came second place with his Border Terrier Stanley.

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       Selaine Saxby, MP for North Devon, was third with her Labrador Henry.

       Boris Johnson took to Twitter to congratulate Vivienne, saying: "David would have been very proud."

       Labour MP Alex Davies-Jones tweeted clapping emojis and said: "Never in doubt."

       Sir David was stabbed to death during a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea in Essex on October 15.

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       The long-serving Conservative MP, who was a patron of the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation, championed animal welfare issues.

       Sir David opposed the badger cull and backed a foxhunting ban.

       He was responsible for introducing the Protection Against Cruel Tethering Act in 1988 to protect tethered horses.

       He also regularly judged at local dog shows.

       Sir David won the Dods Animal Welfare and Environment Award in 2011 for his campaigning.

       And he most recently supported Beatrice's Bill to end cages for laying hens.

       Many of the tributes that poured in for the Tory MP following his death referred to his passion for animal rights.

       Carrie Johnson, the Prime Minister's wife, who is also a patron of the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation, described him as an "enormous animal lover".