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Leadership hopefuls weigh up bids
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Liberal Democrat leadership hopefuls are weighing up whether to mount a challenge to the two frontrunners in the race to succeed Sir Menzies Campbell.
The bookies' favourite, home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg, announced that he will be launching his campaign on Friday in his Sheffield constituency.
It followed environment spokesman Chris Huhne's launch of his bid for the leadership at a Westminster restaurant.
A number of senior figures - including acting leader Vince Cable - have already ruled themselves out of the contest.
Among those still considering a challenge is Steve Webb, from the left of the party, who is responsible for drawing up the General Election manifesto.
Birmingham Yardley MP John Hemming could also throw his hat into the ring - although he would be a clear outsider.
And former leader Charles Kennedy has not entirely ruled out the prospect of a comeback attempt, although he insisted that it was "highly unlikely".
At his launch event, Mr Huhne was forced to deny that he had been engaged in plotting against Sir Menzies, amid reporters that his supporters had been briefing against the former leader.
In an apparent jibe against his younger rival, Mr Clegg, he said that Sir Menzies had been the victim of a "Camelot obsession" with youth in certain sections of the media.
