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| Liberal Democrat leader resigns | Liberal Democrat leader resigns |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Sir Menzies Campbell has resigned as leader of the Liberal Democrats with immediate effect. | |
| In a letter to party president Simon Hughes he said questions about his leadership were "getting in the way of further progress by the party". | |
| Mr Hughes said the party owed Sir Menzies "a huge debt of gratitude". | |
| Deputy leader Vincent Cable will take over as acting leader for now - a leadership timetable will be announced on Tuesday. | |
| The official announcement was made by Mr Cable and Mr Hughes, who said Sir Menzies had taken the decision in the "interests of the party and of Liberal Democracy". | |
| Poll ratings | Poll ratings |
| In his letter, Sir Menzies said he had sought to restore stability and purpose, professionalism to the party's internal operations and to prepare it for a general election, when he took over as leader in March 2006. | |
| "With the help of others, I believe that I have fulfilled these objectives, although I am convinced that the internal structures of the party need radical revision if we are to compete effectively against Labour and the Conservatives," he said. | |
| Ming has earned the gratitude, the respect and the affection of our party Vincent CableDeputy leader Profile: Sir Menzies Campbell Analysis: Why Campbell went | Ming has earned the gratitude, the respect and the affection of our party Vincent CableDeputy leader Profile: Sir Menzies Campbell Analysis: Why Campbell went |
| Party president Mr Hughes said Sir Menzies had brought "purpose and stability" to the party since he took over as leader, after Charles Kennedy quit in January 2006. | Party president Mr Hughes said Sir Menzies had brought "purpose and stability" to the party since he took over as leader, after Charles Kennedy quit in January 2006. |
| He added that he had put in place the preparations for the next general election "whenever it comes". | He added that he had put in place the preparations for the next general election "whenever it comes". |
| Speculation has been growing about the Lib Dem leadership, particularly since Prime Minister Gordon Brown decided not to call an early general election - and indicated he may not do so until 2009 at the earliest. | Speculation has been growing about the Lib Dem leadership, particularly since Prime Minister Gordon Brown decided not to call an early general election - and indicated he may not do so until 2009 at the earliest. |
| But a spokeswoman for Sir Menzies said he had made the decision to stand down himself and had handed his resignation letter to the party's president on Monday afternoon. | But a spokeswoman for Sir Menzies said he had made the decision to stand down himself and had handed his resignation letter to the party's president on Monday afternoon. |
| 'Very sad' | |
| Earlier Mr Cable had conceded the party's leadership was "under discussion" but said he did not believe Sir Menzies' job was under threat. | Earlier Mr Cable had conceded the party's leadership was "under discussion" but said he did not believe Sir Menzies' job was under threat. |
| Speaking to the BBC later he said he had not been aware of the "imminence of the decision". | Speaking to the BBC later he said he had not been aware of the "imminence of the decision". |
| HAVE YOUR SAY I am saddened that such a steady and trustworthy person was unpopular solely because of his age Will Stobart Send us your comments In full: Sir Menzies resigns | HAVE YOUR SAY I am saddened that such a steady and trustworthy person was unpopular solely because of his age Will Stobart Send us your comments In full: Sir Menzies resigns |
| "I'm very sad he felt he needed to step aside," he said, but added: "I don't think he was pushed." | "I'm very sad he felt he needed to step aside," he said, but added: "I don't think he was pushed." |
| "There was a very open debate about this immediately that Gordon Brown made his decision to postpone the election. | "There was a very open debate about this immediately that Gordon Brown made his decision to postpone the election. |
| "I think he took a fresh look at where he stood ... and decided the best thing he could do in the interests of the party was to step aside." | "I think he took a fresh look at where he stood ... and decided the best thing he could do in the interests of the party was to step aside." |
| He said he thought there would be a leadership election before the new year. | He said he thought there would be a leadership election before the new year. |
| The prime minister has paid tribute to Sir Menzies as a "man of great stature and integrity who has served his party and country with distinction". | The prime minister has paid tribute to Sir Menzies as a "man of great stature and integrity who has served his party and country with distinction". |
| And Tory leader David Cameron said he was a "fine public servant" who had had a distinguished parliamentary career, and wished him well for the future. | And Tory leader David Cameron said he was a "fine public servant" who had had a distinguished parliamentary career, and wished him well for the future. |