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Lib Dem leadership bids expected Huhne 'to bid for Lib Dem leader'
(about 9 hours later)
Contenders for the Lib Dem leadership are expected to enter the race to succeed Sir Menzies Campbell later. Lib Dem environment spokesman Chris Huhne is expected to announce his bid to succeed Sir Menzies Campbell as the leadership race officially begins.
Frontrunners Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne have yet to say they will run. Mr Huhne is expected to make a statement and up to seven MPs are considering running. Alongside home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg, Mr Huhne is seen as one of the strongest contenders for the top job.
Acting leader and Treasury spokesman Vincent Cable will take Sir Menzies' place at prime minister's questions. Mr Huhne, 53, is expected to make a statement on Wednesday and up to seven MPs are considering running.
Acting leader Vincent Cable, who will take Sir Menzies' place at prime minister's questions, will not stand.
Mr Cable, 64, said he had concluded that an older candidate would not be electable because of the "irrational prejudice" about age that dogged Sir Menzies' leadership.
Nominations for the job opened on Tuesday, with other possible runners in the frame including: Steve Webb, Ed Davey, Susan Kramer and John Hemming.
'Irritated and frustrated'
Sir Menzies said he resigned because the media's obsession with his age made it very hard to get policies across.Sir Menzies said he resigned because the media's obsession with his age made it very hard to get policies across.
Speaking to the BBC he said he was "irritated and frustrated" at having to step down, after 18 months in the job.Speaking to the BBC he said he was "irritated and frustrated" at having to step down, after 18 months in the job.
I had no sense that there were people wanting to move against me Sir Menzies Campbell Sir Menzies tells of 'irritation' I had no sense that there were people wanting to move against me Sir Menzies Campbell Sir Menzies tells of 'irritation' class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7047018.stm">Could Kennedy bounce back?
"Irritated because of the quite extraordinary concentration of trivia which seem to surround leadership - people write articles on what kind of socks I wear."Irritated because of the quite extraordinary concentration of trivia which seem to surround leadership - people write articles on what kind of socks I wear.
"Frustrated at not getting the opportunity to lead the party in a general election, and I think our policies and our principles and our values would have been right at the very centre of the political agenda.""Frustrated at not getting the opportunity to lead the party in a general election, and I think our policies and our principles and our values would have been right at the very centre of the political agenda."
Asked if he thought he would have been forced out, had he decided to stay longer, Sir Menzies said he could not speculate about the future, but added: "I had no sense that there were people wanting to move against me.Asked if he thought he would have been forced out, had he decided to stay longer, Sir Menzies said he could not speculate about the future, but added: "I had no sense that there were people wanting to move against me.
"If I had decided to go on and anyone had tried to move against me then I would have dealt with them pretty sharply. This was my decision. I took this decision.""If I had decided to go on and anyone had tried to move against me then I would have dealt with them pretty sharply. This was my decision. I took this decision."
Acting leader Soundings
He said he hoped the person "best qualified to lead" would come out of a "very strenuous and robust leadership contest". He said he had an idea who he would like to win, but added: "The best thing for ex-leaders, as I now am, is to keep their own counsel."He said he hoped the person "best qualified to lead" would come out of a "very strenuous and robust leadership contest". He said he had an idea who he would like to win, but added: "The best thing for ex-leaders, as I now am, is to keep their own counsel."
Mr Clegg, the current home affairs spokesman, said he needed time to talk to his wife Miriam and "close friends" before deciding whether to stand for the leadership. Mr Clegg, 40, said he needed time to talk to his wife Miriam and close friends before deciding whether to stand for the leadership.
Mr Huhne has not said if he will stand - but sources close to him have told the BBC he is likely to make a statement on Wednesday.Mr Huhne has not said if he will stand - but sources close to him have told the BBC he is likely to make a statement on Wednesday.
Among others who have told the BBC they are sounding out colleagues about whether they should stand are Steve Webb, who is in charge of writing up the party's election manifesto, and Birmingham Yardley MP John Hemming.
Party president Simon Hughes, who has stood for the leadership twice before, has ruled himself out of this contest.Party president Simon Hughes, who has stood for the leadership twice before, has ruled himself out of this contest.
Nominations close on Wednesday 31 October and those with sufficient backing will put their case to party members.Nominations close on Wednesday 31 October and those with sufficient backing will put their case to party members.
Ballot papers will be sent out to Liberal Democrats across the UK from 21 November and the winner will be announced on 17 December.Ballot papers will be sent out to Liberal Democrats across the UK from 21 November and the winner will be announced on 17 December.