Campbell quit 'in party's interests'

Last Modified: 16 Oct 2007
By: Gary Gibbon, Cathy Newman

Sir Menzies Campbell says he stepped down as Lib Dem leader because of the media's obsession with his age.

Frustrated, irritated, and fed up with constant sniping about his age, Sir Menzies Campbell said today he had decided to step down as Liberal Democrat leader in the interests of the party.

Sir Menzies blamed the "cloying blanket" of speculation about his leadership, and said sections of the media had "an obsession" with his age.

He also warned supporters of leadership contender Chris Huhne that they were playing a "dangerous game" by undermining other figures in the party.

Behind the scenes, the race to succeed Sir Menzies Campbell has already begun, as nominations for the Liberal Democrat leadership opened this morning.

No-one has yet officially declared, but the likely contenders include the frontbencher Chris Huhne and the party's home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg.