Farron quits as Lib Dem leader over his faith
Tim Farron has resigned as leader of the Liberal Democrats, saying it was “impossible” to live as a committed Christian and remain in his role.
Jo Swinson, who won back her East Dunbartonsire seat last week, has been tipped as a possible successor, along with former deputy leader Vince Cable.
During the general election campaign, Mr Farron was criticised for initially failing to say whether he thought gay sex was a sin.
He will stay in post until the parliamentary recess at the end of July, when a new leader will be elect- ed by party members. “The consequences of the focus on my faith is that I have found myself torn between living as a faithful Christian and serving as a political leader,” Mr Farron said, flanked by MPS including Ms Swinson and Mr Cable.
“A better, wiser person than me may have been able to deal with this more successfully, to have remained faithful to Christ while leading a political party in the current environment. To be a political leader – especially of a progressive, liberal party in 2017 – and to live as a committed Christianhas felt impossible for me.”
Mr Farron said “we are kidding ourselves” if people in Britain thought they were living in a tolerant liberal society. Earlier, the party’s home affairs spokesman Lord Paddick stepped down, citing “concerns about the leader’s views on various issues”.