It was a journalist's dream-- an invitation to chat at length to a group of Liberal Democrat MPs barely two hours after their leader, Paddy Ashdown, had declared his intention to stand down.

To add to the incentive there was the promise of free drink as well. Such a combination proved to be irresistible.

To be fair the invitation had been a long standing one-- a chance for the Scottish Liberal Democrat MPs to meet journalists informally over a convivial drink in an upstairs room at a Westminster pub.

But as so often happens in politics, events conspired to give it far more importance than many thought it would have done.

Now journalists, who spend their lives having to live by deadlines in their professional lives, are notoriously bad at turning up to social functions on time. But at the appointed time a number of us were gathered at the venue.

Entering the lions' den

Some of us had arrived earlier than the hosts, but with a tab running behind the bar the ladies and gentleman of the fourth estate managed to entertain themselves, while chewing over the day's events and just why Paddy Ashdown had decided to announce he was standing down at party leader in June.

One by one Scottish Liberal Democrat MPs began to arrive. As they came into the room, they had the look of someone about to enter the lions' den.

And to some extent they had good reason to feel hunted. Each MP was pounced on by journalists wanting to know their reaction to Mr Ashdown's decision. What did they think of it? Were they surprised? When did they find out? Who should be the new leader? Did they fancy a go themselves?

Each resorted to the pre-arranged formula: praise for Paddy Ashdown, genuine surprise at the decision and a firm refusal to be drawn on who should be his successor.

The leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats Jim Wallace was adamant that Mr Ashdown's decision would not hinder the party's campaign for the Scottish parliamentary elections.

Scottish contenders

Mr Wallace reckons Mr Ashdown will campaign as hard as ever, and far from being a lame duck leader, he will be well received when he campaigns north of the border.

Mr Ashdown is also due to address to Scottish Liberal Democrats conference in Aberdeen in a fortnight's time. His appearance is certain to add to the press interest.

While Jim Wallace won't be drawn on who might succeed Mr Ashdown that hasn't stopped others putting in their two penneth. And Mr Wallace's colleagues among Scottish Liberal Democrat MPs could be well represented in any race.

Within minutes of Mr Ashdown's decision being known the names of Charles Kennedy and Menzies Campbell were already being canvassed. Later Malcolm Bruce's name was added to the list.

Publicly, at least, no one is confirming his or her candidcay, but you know that people are ''considering their futures and options'' and the bookmakers, who know a thing or two about these things are already offering odds.

The bookies' early favourite is Charles Kennedy, the 39-year-old MP for Ross, Skye and Inverness. He's currently the party's rural affairs spokesman and a past president of the party.

He is extremely popular with many of the party faithful, and has gained the reputation as something of a ''conference darling''. Critics say he's devoted too much of his time to television and radio appearances in the past. He's been critical of the Liberal Democrats closer links with Labour and is very pro-European. The prospect of standing is probably irresistible to him.

Another Scot potentially at the starting gate is Menzies Campbell, the foreign Affairs spokesman. At 57 some think the MP for Fife North East is too old, but he's a well respected and well liked ''elder statesman'' type figure, who could be viewed as a caretaker leader.

Olympic runner may stand

Menzies Campbell has close links with members of the Scottish labour establishment and is enthusiastic about closer links with Labour. He is only likely to stand if he believes he's got a good chance of winning.

As a former Olympic runner his friends have let it be known that he could last the course in any lengthy leadership battle.

An outsider, according to the bookies, is Malcolm Bruce, the party's Treasury spokesman and MP for Gordon. He's been a vigorous critic of Gordon Brown's economic policies despite the closer relations between the Liberal Democrats and Labour. With the budget coming up in March, Mr Bruce's profile is likely to increase.

According to Liberal Democrat party managers, talk of possible runners and riders is all a bit premature. Mr Ashdown is not due to stand down until after the European elections in June. Before then, no one is expected to formally announce their candidacy.

That's the theory, but life is not quite like that. Politics is politics and all politicians are ambitious and like to steal a march on others if they can.