Ashdown set for leader challenge

PADDY ASHDOWN faces the possibility of a leadership challenge next year amid grassroot Liberal Democrat anger at his signing of a co- operation deal with Tony Blair, writes David Shaw.

It follows a "stormy and chaotic" meeting of his party's policy committee at which his handling of the surprise announcement without consultation was criticised by 17 votes to two.

With Labour seen as the Lib-Dems main political enemy in many areas Mr Ashdown is under fire for a move too far in cosying up to Mr Blair, despite protestations that the parties remain separate. The meeting, the second in 24 hours to hear criticism of the leader, also voted to campaign "for Liberal Democracy free of secrecy and centralism" in what was seen as a direct assault on Mr Ashdown's "dictatorial" style. Mr Ashdown's critics say feeling runs so high that they do not rule out a leadership challenge next year. Among those who have publicly disagreed with him are frontbench health spokesman Simon Hughes who some would like to see stand as a candidate.

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