Britain's Liberal Democrats elected Home Affairs spokesman Nick Clegg as their new leader after he held off a late surge by opponent Chris Huhne.
Mr Clegg (40) was the bookmakers' favourite to take over from Menzies Campbell (66), who resigned in October after persistent comment about his age and suitability to lead the party into the next election.
The new leader takes over at a time when support for the party is at its lowest in the polls for six years.
