Cable seeks Lib Dem leadership as Swinson sews up deputy role

East Dunbartonshire MP Jo Swinson has been confirmed as deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats after no other candidates came forward for the position.

She is set to take interim control of the party if there is a contest for the leadership, with Vince Cable yesterday becoming the first to declare he will seek to lead the Lib Dems.

Sir Vince denied accusations he is too old to be the party’s leader, after throwing his hat into the ring to replace Tim Farron who announced his resignation last week. The 0 Jo Swinson was unopposed for the deputy leader position 74-year-old was returned to the House of Commons as MP for Twickenham in this month’s general election, having been one of the highest-profile casualties of the party’s collapse in support in 2015.Former energy secre- tary Sir Ed Davey and exhealth minister Norman Lamb have also indicated they are considering a bid for the leadership.

Ms Swinson, 37, had previously been the favourite for the top job.

Declaring his candidacy on the Lib Dem Voice website, Sir Vince said he is ready to “work with like-minded people in other parties” to ensure voters get the final say on any Brexit deal, with the option to stay in the EU if the agreement on offer is not good enough.

He described Brexit as an “iceberg” about to hit the UK economy.