NORTH Yorkshire MP Phil Willis emerged last night as a surprise contender to succeed his ally Charles Kennedy as Liberal Democrat leader.

The Harrogate and Knaresborough MP - who has told of his anger at the toppling of Mr Kennedy - said he was determined to prevent a "coronation" of Sir Menzies Campbell as the new leader.

Mr Willis said he would throw his hat into the ring if party president Simon Hughes and home affairs spokesman Mark Oaten decided not to oppose Sir Menzies.

Only a proper contest - giving rank-and-file Lib Dems the opportunity to pick Mr Kennedy's successor - would ensure the party emerged united from the crisis, Mr Willis said.

The former education spokesman admitted he was an "elder statesman" although, having just turned 64, he is six months younger than Sir Menzies.

Having stepped down from the frontbench last year, he is an unlikely candidate, but would benefit from the anger among party members over the shock ousting of Mr Kennedy.

Mr Willis, a former headteacher who became an MP in 1997, said: "It's important that somebody does stand.

"Without a contest we will have so many questions that are unanswered that, going into the local elections and beyond, we will continue to have a divided party.

"But I would prefer those people who see themselves as future leaders of the party, taking us beyond the next general election with new ideas and new vigour, to come forward to showcase their ideas."

Mr Willis added: "The idea that a small cabal of senior MPs can get rid of an elected leader, have a coronation, change the policy and dynamics of the party without involving the members, and think you can have unity, is absurd."

Mr Oaten has said he will announce today whether he is standing, while Mr Hughes will make a decision within the next week.

Both are weighing up whether they have sufficient support to take on Sir Menzies, who cemented his position as favourite yesterday by winning the backing of former leader Lord Ashdown.

The Liberal Democrats' federal executive met last night to draw up a timetable to elect the new leader by the end of March.

Mr Kennedy resigned on Saturday, after admitting he had a drink problem and after 25 of his 61 MPs said they would refuse to serve under him.