Nick Clegg resigns as Liberal Democrat leader following slump in support

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg resigned after support for his party collapsed. Reuters

Britain's deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg resigned on Friday as leader of the Liberal Democrats after his party was crushed at the national election.

Clegg, who in 2010 led his party to its first ever spell in government as junior partner to Prime Minister David Cameron's Conservatives, retained his seat in parliament but saw the vast majority of his colleagues lose theirs.

With nearly all the seats counted, the Liberal Democrats held just eight on Friday morning, down from the 57 they won in 2010.

"Clearly the results have been immeasurably more crushing and unkind than I could ever have feared," an exhausted looking Clegg told a news conference.

"I must take responsibility, and therefore I announce that I will be resigning as leader of the Liberal Democrats. A leadership election will now take place according to the party's rules."

related articles
David Cameron rejects Nick Clegg\'s support for separation of church and state
David Cameron rejects Nick Clegg's support for separation of church and state

David Cameron rejects Nick Clegg's support for separation of church and state

\'We sort of do God\': The awkward relationship between the party leaders and people of faith
'We sort of do God': The awkward relationship between the party leaders and people of faith

'We sort of do God': The awkward relationship between the party leaders and people of faith

Nick Clegg: \'I\'m not a true atheist\'
Nick Clegg: 'I'm not a true atheist'

Nick Clegg: 'I'm not a true atheist'

David Cameron sweeps to unexpected triumph, Tories gain majority
David Cameron sweeps to unexpected triumph, Tories gain majority

David Cameron sweeps to unexpected triumph, Tories gain majority

News
Church leaders call for peace after days of violent unrest in Ballymena
Church leaders call for peace after days of violent unrest in Ballymena

Ballymena churchman says "righteous" anger about an alleged sexual assault on a local girl cannot be a cover for racism.

Was the spending review really 'promising'?
Was the spending review really 'promising'?

Church of England bishops have described the spending review as “promising”.

Britain risks having most extreme abortion laws in Europe
Britain risks having most extreme abortion laws in Europe

Not for the first time, Parliament is out of step with the people

Relief for Kristie Higgs as Supreme Court denies school's appeal in Facebook post case
Relief for Kristie Higgs as Supreme Court denies school's appeal in Facebook post case

The decision ends a years-long legal battle over religious free speech for the Christian teacher.