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Lib Dems to announce new leader Lib Dems to announce new leader
(about 7 hours later)
The new leader of the Liberal Democrats will be named later, at the end of a two-month contest sparked by Menzies Campbell's surprise resignation. The new leader of the Liberal Democrats will be named at 1430 GMT, after a two-month contest sparked by Sir Menzies Campbell's resignation.
Lib Dem frontbenchers Chris Huhne and Nick Clegg are vying to be the party's third leader in three years. Lib Dem frontbenchers Chris Huhne, 53, and Nick Clegg, 40, are vying to be the party's third leader in three years.
Sir Menzies, 66, resigned in October, after 17 months in the job, blaming a media obsession with his age.Sir Menzies, 66, resigned in October, after 17 months in the job, blaming a media obsession with his age.
Charles Kennedy was forced out by a rebellion by members of his front bench team, after admitting a drink problem. Mr Clegg remains favourite to win but Mr Huhne is said to have picked up support during the campaign.
Since Sir Menzies stepped down, the party's deputy leader Vince Cable has been acting as temporary leader. Whoever wins will have the task of bringing stability to the UK's third party.
He will announce the winner at 1430 GMT. Sir Menzies had only become leader after Charles Kennedy was forced out by a rebellion by members of his front bench team, after admitting a drink problem.
Since Sir Menzies stepped down the party's deputy leader Vince Cable has been acting as temporary leader.
Very closeVery close
He has earned widespread praise for his performance, but told the BBC last week he was happy with his decision not to stand for the job himself. He has earned widespread praise for his performance, but told the BBC last week he did not regret deciding not to stand for the job himself.
"I'm happy with my present position, whichever of the two is chosen will be a very good leader and I will have a, hopefully, senior role in the administration of the party and I'm very happy with that," he said. "Whichever of the two is chosen will be a very good leader and I will have a, hopefully, senior role in the administration of the party and I'm very happy with that," he said.
My campaign is in very good heart so we will see what the future holds Chris Huhne Analysis: Leader's challengeMy campaign is in very good heart so we will see what the future holds Chris Huhne Analysis: Leader's challenge
He said the race between environment spokesman Mr Huhne and home affairs spokesman Mr Clegg men was "very close".He said the race between environment spokesman Mr Huhne and home affairs spokesman Mr Clegg men was "very close".
The contest has been good natured - although Mr Huhne apologised over a briefing paper from his camp which described his rival as "Calamity Clegg". He said he had not seen it and it was blamed on an "overzealous researcher" but he accused Mr Clegg of "flip flops" on policy. The contest has rarely captured the media spotlight, given that it has taken place at the same time as a series of crises have hit Gordon Brown's Labour government.
The two contenders share a similar background and similar views on many issues, such as EU membership, electoral reform and civil liberties. The two contenders share a similar background - they went to the same public school, they both worked as journalists and both became Euro MPs.
They share similar views on many issues, such as EU membership, electoral reform and civil liberties.
'Very good heart'
But Mr Huhne would scrap the Trident nuclear missile programme, while Mr Clegg follows the party policy of retaining it as a bargaining chip in disarmament negotiations.But Mr Huhne would scrap the Trident nuclear missile programme, while Mr Clegg follows the party policy of retaining it as a bargaining chip in disarmament negotiations.
Mr Clegg is thought to enjoy the most support among Lib Dem MPs - but the party's 70,000 members have the final vote. The contest appeared generally to be good-natured although Mr Huhne apologised over a briefing paper from his camp which described his rival as "Calamity Clegg".
He said he had not seen the title of the briefing paper and it was blamed on an "overzealous researcher" but he accused Mr Clegg of "flip flops" on policy.
Mr Clegg has the most support among Lib Dem MPs - but the party's 64,000 members have the final vote.
Asked who would win on Monday, Mr Huhne told the BBC: "I'm a great believer in waiting for the result. It's a secret ballot. My campaign is in very good heart so we will see what the future holds tomorrow."Asked who would win on Monday, Mr Huhne told the BBC: "I'm a great believer in waiting for the result. It's a secret ballot. My campaign is in very good heart so we will see what the future holds tomorrow."