STATEMENT FROM PAUL KEETCH MP ON THE LIBERAL DEMOCRAT LEADERSHIP

9.00.00am GMT Mon 9th Jan 2006

Over the past 20 years, and especially since I entered Parliament in 1997, it has been a great pleasure to get to know Charles Kennedy. I was delighted he agreed to speak in Hereford in 1998 to mark my first 12 months as MP - the first of many visits he has made here. When Paddy Ashdown resigned as Leader in 1999, I immediately supported Charles and was pleased to be part of his campaign team. During the leadership election, I acted as Charles' minder travelling with him all over the country. I was with him and his parents in his London flat during the count when he was told he had won the contest.

When he became Leader, Charles appointed me as Ming Campbell's deputy at Defence and Foreign Affairs, and then after the 2001 Election as a member of our Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Defence Secretary. We worked closely together during the run up to the Iraq War, and I acted as his liaison with the Ministry of Defence during the conflict itself. After the 2005 General Election I wrote to Charles asking to resign as Shadow Defence Secretary and be the Liberal Democrat nominee on the Foreign Affairs Committee. This he kindly agreed to do.

My wife Claire and our son, William spent New Year with Charles and Sarah the year before they were married and I was honoured to act as his usher at his wedding.

Over the last few weeks, I have consistently supported Charles in his desire to remain Leader. Last Thursday on Sky TV, and Friday on local radio and regional TV, I continued to support Charles. However, it became clear on Saturday, that he no longer retained the confidence of most of his parliamentary colleagues, and I reluctantly agreed to his decision to stand down.

I organised a consultation of local Lib Dem activists and Councillors and the overwhelming majority of those believed Charles should step down as Leader. This consultation also balanced evenly between those who would support Sir Menzies Campbell and those who think Simon Hughes should be our new leader. Given the events of the last few months, we have had some time to consider our position and I have come to the following conclusion.

I have indicated to Ming Campbell that I will be supporting him to become our next leader. I have a message from him thanking me for his support. I have also told Simon Hughes of my intention to support Ming, but I do believe that Simon should stand and that there should be a contest for the leadership.

It is a difficult decision to choose between two colleagues of such exceptional ability, either would make a fine leader under who I would be honoured to serve. However, in my judgement, Ming Campbell would at the next election provide an experienced, serious and credible alternative to David Cameron and Gordon Brown and for this reason I will support him. It was a pleasure serving as his deputy and as his partner in the Foreign Affairs and Defence Team, and I look forward to serving him as our new leader.