[an error occurred while processing this directive]Newt Gingrich, the speaker of the United States House of Representatives, is facing a challenge to his leadership in the wake of the Republican Party's poor performance in the congressional mid-term elections.

Bob Livingston: "We want politicians with ideas that work"

Bob Livingston, an experienced congressman from Louisiana, has indicated that he will run against Mr Gingrich in party elections in November. Other members of the party's leadership are also being challenged, and the Republican insurrection is spreading.

Andrew Bomford: "Gingrich may not seek re-election"

Mr Gingrich led the so-called Republican revolution which swept the party into power in 1994, giving them their first majority in the House of Representatives since 1954. He now faces an open rebellion from within party ranks.

Infighting erupts

Bob Livingston: Experienced

The whispering campaign began as soon as the mid-term results were in - following their poor showing the Republicans now hold a majority of just five in the House of Representatives.

Many Republicans accuse Mr Gingrich of losing sight of the conservative tax-cutting agenda and miscalculating the public's weariness with the Monica Lewinsky scandal.

In truth, the Republican Party is deeply divided, with moderates and extreme right-wingers drawing different lessons from the mid-term failure, but on all sides there seems to be dissatisfaction with the current leadership.

Steve Largent, a young congressman and former sports star from Oklahoma, announced he intends to run against Republican Majority Leader in the House, Dick Armey.

"We've hit an iceberg", said Mr Largent. "Do we retain the crew of the Titanic or look for new leadership?"