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| Search on for new Lib Dem leader | Search on for new Lib Dem leader |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The Liberal Democrats are starting the process of choosing their third leader in 18 months following the sudden departure of Sir Menzies Campbell. | The Liberal Democrats are starting the process of choosing their third leader in 18 months following the sudden departure of Sir Menzies Campbell. |
| He resigned claiming questions about his leadership were "getting in the way of further progress by the party". | He resigned claiming questions about his leadership were "getting in the way of further progress by the party". |
| Nominations for leadership candidates open on Tuesday, with the result of the election due on 17 December. | Nominations for leadership candidates open on Tuesday, with the result of the election due on 17 December. |
| Meanwhile, party president Simon Hughes has insisted Sir Menzies had made "his own decision" to resign. | Meanwhile, party president Simon Hughes has insisted Sir Menzies had made "his own decision" to resign. |
| LEADERSHIP TIMETABLE: 16 October - Nominations open31 October - Nominations close21 November - Ballot papers sent out15 December - Deadline for completed ballots17 December - New leader announced Who's Who: The contenders | |
| Mr Hughes said the Lib Dems owed Sir Menzies "a huge debt of gratitude". | Mr Hughes said the Lib Dems owed Sir Menzies "a huge debt of gratitude". |
| But he told BBC News 24: "I wasn't aware of a single colleague who had said to Menzies... that they weren't willing to support him and weren't willing that he should carry on. | But he told BBC News 24: "I wasn't aware of a single colleague who had said to Menzies... that they weren't willing to support him and weren't willing that he should carry on. |
| "It was the press, by and large, who kept on about certain things that suggested that he couldn't lead us. | "It was the press, by and large, who kept on about certain things that suggested that he couldn't lead us. |
| "Menzies in the end made his own decision, he took his own counsel," Mr Hughes added. | "Menzies in the end made his own decision, he took his own counsel," Mr Hughes added. |
| Former Lib Dem leader Lord Ashdown described Sir Menzies resignation as "a selfless act by an honourable man who put his party first". | |
| 'Hounded out' | |
| "I regret his decision to go, although I think it was probably the right one," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. | |
| The peer said he had planned to meet Sir Menzies on Tuesday to discuss his future. | |
| I regret his decision to go, although I think it was probably the right one Lord Ashdown Analysis: Why Campbell went | |
| "I was going to say to him: 'Look, Menzies, it's going to be quite tough for you to continue until an election in 2009 but the one thing is very clear and that is when you go, go on your own terms and go when you want to go'. He beat me to it," he said. | |
| But the Lib Dem MP Mike Hancock said he believed Sir Menzies had been hounded out by members of the party. | But the Lib Dem MP Mike Hancock said he believed Sir Menzies had been hounded out by members of the party. |
| "Why should he have to take some of the back-biting from people who couldn't say it to his face," he said. | "Why should he have to take some of the back-biting from people who couldn't say it to his face," he said. |
| "This same group who've got so much loyalty to his face, but so little behind his back." | "This same group who've got so much loyalty to his face, but so little behind his back." |
| Stability and purpose | Stability and purpose |
| 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". | 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". |
| The BBC has learned that the winner of the leadership election will be announced on 17 December. | The BBC has learned that the winner of the leadership election will be announced on 17 December. |
| Ming has earned the gratitude, the respect and the affection of our party Vincent CableDeputy leader Profile: Sir Menzies Campbell Reaction in quotes | Ming has earned the gratitude, the respect and the affection of our party Vincent CableDeputy leader Profile: Sir Menzies Campbell Reaction in quotes |
| The party's Federal Executive Committee has agreed nominations will open on Tuesday after which potential candidates will have 15 working days to throw their hats in to the ring. | The party's Federal Executive Committee has agreed nominations will open on Tuesday after which potential candidates will have 15 working days to throw their hats in to the ring. |
| 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. | 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. | "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. |
| Poor polls | Poor polls |
| 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. |
| Mr Cable and Mr Hughes made the announcement | |
| And talk of replacing him as leader appears to have been stirred by poor opinion poll results - the latest being an ICM poll in the Sunday Telegraph which suggested Conservative support at 43% with Labour on 36% and the Lib Dems on 14%. | And talk of replacing him as leader appears to have been stirred by poor opinion poll results - the latest being an ICM poll in the Sunday Telegraph which suggested Conservative support at 43% with Labour on 36% and the Lib Dems on 14%. |
| Mr Cable, who earlier on Monday had said he thought the leadership was "under discussion" but not under threat, agreed that the resignation was not forced on Sir Menzies: "I don't think he was pushed", he said. | Mr Cable, who earlier on Monday had said he thought the leadership was "under discussion" but not under threat, agreed that the resignation was not forced on Sir Menzies: "I don't think he was pushed", he said. |
| "There was a very open debate about this immediately that Gordon Brown made his decision to postpone the election which could now be two years hence. | "There was a very open debate about this immediately that Gordon Brown made his decision to postpone the election which could now be two years hence. |
| 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: Resignation letter | |
| "I think he took a fresh look at where he stood. He discussed this with his family and colleagues and decided the best thing he could do in the interests of the party was step aside." | "I think he took a fresh look at where he stood. He discussed this with his family and colleagues and decided the best thing he could do in the interests of the party was step aside." |
| Since he became leader Sir Menzies, 66, has repeatedly had to defend himself against accusations that he was too old to lead the party. | Since he became leader Sir Menzies, 66, has repeatedly had to defend himself against accusations that he was too old to lead the party. |