FibDems

Sir Menzies Campbell is facing a leadership challenge within weeks of taking his party to a record low in the polls and entering into talks with Gordon Brown.

A group of Liberal Democrat MPs and peers have resolved to call for Sir Menzies to stand down this month if the party finishes in third place in two forthcoming by-elections, The Sunday Telegraph can reveal.

Sir Menzies has been struggling to maintain his authority for months amid rising unhappiness over his poor public performances and lack of impact in the opinion polls. Tensions in the party boiled over at a private meeting of the party at Westminster last week at which one senior Lib Dem peer openly called him a "liar" for failing to inform the party of his talks with Mr Brown.

"There is now outright rebellion," one senior Lib Dem said. "We are absolutely livid."

"A liar" - Senior Lib Dem peer

# posted by Porridge Oatens @ 1:06 PM