Chris Huhne salutes Nick Clegg

3.46.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 19th Dec 2007

Chris Huhne MP

Nick Clegg has received praise from his defeated rival for the Lib Dem leadership, Chris Huhne.

Chris Huhne said "I'm in no doubt at all that this is a great occasion for the Liberal Democrats."

"Nick is going to be a great leader for the party. He has an enormous amount of warmth and energy to bring to this job."

"We have ahead of us some great successes. I look forward to participating as part of Nick's team to make sure the party goes from strength to strength."

"I have certainly been very struck during the campaign at the extent to which Nick has been able to reach out, particularly to younger people, and get them involved in the party in a way that is absolutely essential."

"This party is going to see even greater successes in the future than it has in the past."