Boost for Campbell as MPs back leadership bid

SIR Menzies Campbell won the backing of every Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for the leadership race bar Charles Kennedy as nominations closed yesterday.

Two previously undecided MPs declared their support for Sir Menzies last night: John Barrett (Edinburgh West) and Alan Reid (Argyll and Bute). Their endorsement came as a welcome boost for the 64-year-old, whose pole position was challenged when a panel of ordinary voters favoured Simon Hughes.

Just over half of those questioned by ICM picked Mr Hughes for the leadership, against 29 per cent for Sir Menzies and 20 per cent for Chris Huhne, a new MP.

Mr Barrett - a supporter of Mr Hughes when he last ran for the leadership - told The Scotsman that he had switched allegiance to Sir Menzies after canvassing local party members.

"All the candidates have their strengths, but Menzies has displayed his experience and gravitas on international issues."

The Conservatives yesterday trumpeted the defection of Adrian Graves, a former Lib Dem candidate, to their party. But rumours of three Lib Dem MPs defecting were dismissed.

The new leader will be announced on 2 March.