Lib Dem party members desert Kennedy

Preliminary results from a newspaper poll today indicated just 27% of Britain's Liberal Democrat party members wanted Charles Kennedy to lead them into the next election.

The figures in The Daily Telegraph showed 65% wanted a new leader.

Mr Kennedy is already facing calls to step down by nearly half his MPs following his admission of a drink problem.

Today’s YouGov poll indicated his deputy Sir Menzies Campbell is the favourite to succeed him.

It showed 49% backed Sir Menzies, 21% Simon Hughes and 14% Mark Oaten.

As of last night 284 members had responded to the internet poll, full results of which are due to be published on Monday.