Mark Oaten Pulls Out of LibDem Leader Race

LONDON - Liberal Democrat MP Mark Oaten withdrew on Thursday from the race to succeed Charles Kennedy as leader of the party after admitting he did not have enough parliamentary support.

Oaten said he had stood for the leadership because he had a "vision" for the future and had received strong support from activists and Liberal Democrat members around the country.

"But what has become very clear over the last few days is that that support is not matched by my colleagues in parliament," he told reporters.

"It's become clear to me that I cannot get a level of support amongst members of parliament that I think is necessary if you are going to lead this party."

Three other contenders remain in the race to lead Britain's second-largest opposition party: LibDem deputy leader Menzies Campbell; party president Simon Hughes and economic spokesman Chris Huhne.

Oaten did not say who he would support.

Kennedy resigned earlier this month after admitting to a drink problem he had previously denied.

Nominations for the race close on January 25th, with the more than 70,000 party members voting from February 6th until March 1st.

The winner will be named on March 2nd, the day before the party's annual spring conference.