Lib Dems 'begin vote for leader'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7106440.stm

Version 0 of 1.

Ballot papers have been sent out in the race for the Lib Dem leadership - with the result due in a month.

Home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg is the favourite, with the backing of 36 Lib Dem MPs, while Chris Huhne has 11.

Seventy thousand members are eligible to vote, in a contest sparked by the resignation of Sir Menzies Campbell.

However, the leadership election has been marred with Mr Clegg being dubbed "Calamity Clegg" in a document produced by the campaign team of Mr Huhne.

The bitter row erupted after a copy of the briefing paper was sent to BBC's The Politics Show by one of Mr Huhne's supporters.

Apology

The document contained quotations purporting to show that Mr Clegg had sent out mixed messages on issues including school vouchers, the NHS and social insurance systems and proportional representation.

During the campaign, Mr Huhne has repeatedly suggested that Mr Clegg was being deliberately ambiguous on these issues.

Mr Clegg said he had made his position clear and accused Mr Huhne of trying to generate "synthetic differences" between them to gain an advantage.

Mr Huhne said he "sincerely apologised" for the title of the document and disassociated himself from it.

December result

But Mr Clegg's campaign team lodged an official complaint with the party's chief whip.

However, because of the apology, the party have decided not to take the matter further.

Ballot papers are due to be returned by 15 December. The result will be announced on 17 December.