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Ashdown backs Menzies' decision Ashdown backs Menzies' decision
(about 1 hour later)
Sir Menzies Campbell made the right decision to step down as Lib Dem leader, Lord Ashdown has said.Sir Menzies Campbell made the right decision to step down as Lib Dem leader, Lord Ashdown has said.
The peer, party leader between 1988 and 1999, said Sir Menzies "did what he believed was right for his party".The peer, party leader between 1988 and 1999, said Sir Menzies "did what he believed was right for his party".
"Those who think Menzies was kicked out simply don't know the man. He took his own decision in his own time," he said."Those who think Menzies was kicked out simply don't know the man. He took his own decision in his own time," he said.
"I certainly admire a man of the deepest integrity, with outstanding judgement. It's a loss to British politics that he should've gone.""I certainly admire a man of the deepest integrity, with outstanding judgement. It's a loss to British politics that he should've gone."
Lord Ashdown spoke out a day after Sir Menzies shocked Westminster with his decision to step down as Lib Dem leader.Lord Ashdown spoke out a day after Sir Menzies shocked Westminster with his decision to step down as Lib Dem leader.
AdviceAdvice
The peer said he had been planning to meet Sir Menzies on Tuesday to discuss his future.The peer said he had been planning to meet Sir Menzies on Tuesday to discuss his future.
"He'd asked me to pop in so I said I would," Lord Ashdown told BBC Radio 4's Today programme."He'd asked me to pop in so I said I would," Lord Ashdown told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"I was going to say to him: 'Look Menzies, it's going to be quite tough for you to continue until an election in 2009 but the one thing is very clear and that is when you go, go on your own terms and go when you want to go'. He beat me to it.""I was going to say to him: 'Look Menzies, it's going to be quite tough for you to continue until an election in 2009 but the one thing is very clear and that is when you go, go on your own terms and go when you want to go'. He beat me to it."
I regret his decision to go, although I think it was probably the right one Lord AshdownI regret his decision to go, although I think it was probably the right one Lord Ashdown
Lord Ashdown said Sir Menzies should be "celebrated" for going when he believed he had completed his job.Lord Ashdown said Sir Menzies should be "celebrated" for going when he believed he had completed his job.
"He did what he believed was right for his party. Typically honourable, selfless thing for Menzies to do - that's his style as a man."He did what he believed was right for his party. Typically honourable, selfless thing for Menzies to do - that's his style as a man.
"And I think this is a pretty rare and unusual occurrence in British politics, that someone puts his party first, makes his decision in his time and decides that this is the best thing for the party."And I think this is a pretty rare and unusual occurrence in British politics, that someone puts his party first, makes his decision in his time and decides that this is the best thing for the party.
"I regret his decision to go, although I think it was probably the right one. I think British politics is the poorer as a result.""I regret his decision to go, although I think it was probably the right one. I think British politics is the poorer as a result."
'Outstanding' debt'Outstanding' debt
Lord Ashdown said he would not disclose who he would be backing as the party's new leader until the "runners and riders" had declared themselves, adding that Tuesday was "Menzies' day". Sir Menzies' age had undoubtedly been "an issue" in the run up to his resignation, he said.
But he would not disclose who he would be backing as the party's new leader until the "runners and riders" had declared themselves, adding that Tuesday was "Menzies' day".
However, he said any one of the "outstanding group" of Lib Dems' MPs, who boast "intellectual horse-power and raw political ability" could take the top job.However, he said any one of the "outstanding group" of Lib Dems' MPs, who boast "intellectual horse-power and raw political ability" could take the top job.
"What we have to do is to get something that we can say. I would hope that the new leader of the party will build on the tremendous foundation that Menzies built," he said."What we have to do is to get something that we can say. I would hope that the new leader of the party will build on the tremendous foundation that Menzies built," he said.
"The party's debt to Menzies is outstanding. He stabilised the party, he reformed its internal institutions and he gave it a foundation of really radical and useful policies at the last election.""The party's debt to Menzies is outstanding. He stabilised the party, he reformed its internal institutions and he gave it a foundation of really radical and useful policies at the last election."