Menzies Campbell wins Lib Dem leadership race

Bisexual MP Simon Hughes has missed out on the Liberal Democrat leadership post to acting leader Sir Menzies Campbell (sometimes referred to as Ming Campbell.)

Lib Dem vice president Lord Dholakia announced this afternoon that Sir Menzies Campbell will be the party’s new leader after Charles Kennedy resigned at the end of January. Over 70% of party members turned out to vote between Simon Hughes, Sir Menzies Campbell and Chris Huhne.

He gained 29,697 votes ahead of Chris Huhne with 21,628 nominations. Simon Hughes came third in the poll.

Last month a PinkNews.co.uk study revealed that despite claims of hypocrisy from gay rights groups, almost 80% of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community would prefer Simon Hughes as Liberal Democrat leader. Mr Hughes, 54, admitted to being bisexual at the end of January amid

Sir Menzie’s first job will be to open the party’s spring conference on Friday.