Campbell had unfair headstart, says Hughes

Simon Hughes has accused Sir Menzies Campbell of planning his Liberal Democrat leadership campaign before Charles Kennedy resigned.

Relations between the rival candidates worsened on Thursday as Hughes attempted to fight back after falling behind in the race.

Having suffered from revelations over his private life, the party president upped the ante in his battle to stay in the contest by taking a pot shot at the frontrunner.

He said Sir Menzies had been planning his campaign at the same time as publicly pledging loyalty to Kennedy.

"As soon as Charles went, Ming declared within minutes and clearly there was a campaign ready to take off," Hughes told the London Evening Standard.

"I had not anticipated Charles going, never wanted that to happen and had not made any preparations to stand. I had not been planning to stand against Charles."

Hughes also contrasted his own energetic campaigning style with that of the 64-year-old acting leader.

"Members have a clear choice. Do they have a more pro-active campaigning leadership that involves the whole party... or do you have the more traditional approach that Ming has represented?" he asked.