Former rival defends Sir Menzies

Mr Huhne is a former leadership contender

A former Lib Dem leadership candidate has defended Sir Menzies Campbell, after a poll suggested 54% Lib Dem voters wanted him ousted as leader.

Sir Menzies, 65, has faced criticism about his age, image and lack of public profile since he became leader in 2006.

Chris Huhne told BBC's Question Time Sir Menzies was a "very wise" figure, who would contrast well with "rather young and inexperienced" David Cameron.

And 39% of Lib Dem voters polled for the Times wanted him to stay on.

Local elections

Sir Menzies replaced Charles Kennedy as leader in March 2006 - Mr Huhne came second in the ballot - and has said he plans to remain leader up to and beyond the next general election.

I think that when Ming has that people are going to see somebody who is a very rounded, very experienced, very wise figure Chris Huhne

But the party's performance at this month's local elections - in which its share of the vote fell by one point to 26% and it lost control of four councils in the south of England to the Tories - has led to press reports suggesting discontent with Sir Menzies' leadership.

Mr Huhne, responding to a question on BBC One's Question Time, said it was "absolutely ridiculous" to suggest the Populus poll reflected the "six million" people who had voted for the Lib Dems at the last election.

He said Liberal Democrat leaders always took some time to "bed in", but that Sir Menzies had led "from the front" on issues such as green taxes and the Trident nuclear debate.

"Until you have been through a general election campaign you don't necessarily have the exposure that makes the electorate warm to you," he said.

"I think that when Ming has that people are going to see somebody who is a very rounded, very experienced, very wise figure.

"And they are going to compare him with Gordon Brown, no comment, and they're going to compare him with David Cameron, who is very inexperienced and rather young. And I think he is going to come out ahead."

Populus interviewed a random sample of 1,504 adults aged over 18 by telephone between 11 and 13 May.