Taylor loses Lib Dem chairmanship

Matthew Taylor said he was not surprised at being dropped.

The Truro and St Austell MP Matthew Taylor has lost his job as national chairman of the Liberal Democrats.

The former shadow chancellor was defeated in a poll of Liberal Democrat MPs who elected Paul Holmes, the member for Chesterfield.

Thirty-six backed Mr Holmes while 23 supported Mr Taylor.

After the vote, Mr Taylor said he was not surprised that the party had decided that a backbench MP should chair their meetings.