Ming Campbell is new Lib Dem leader

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 3rd Mar 2006

Ming Campbell has won the election for Lib Dem Leader with a clear majority of party members backing him. He becomes leader at a time where the Lib Dems are stronger than ever.

Just last month, the Lib Dems won their 63rd MP in a spectacular by-election win in Scotland.

The Lib Dems came from a distant 2nd place to take the Dunfermline seat from Labour.

David Cameron's Tories finished in an embarrassing 4th place.

Ming Campbell said the challenge was to lead the party back towards government at the next general election. Ming was previously Lib Dem Foreign Affairs Spokesman leading the party's opposition to the war in Iraq. Before becoming MP, Ming was an Olympic sprinter and held the British 100m record for seven years!

Ming said, "I will lead the party in a crusade against poverty. We will champion freedom, fairness and environment protection."