Lib Dem chief stands down

The Liberal Democrats are looking for a new top official after Chris Fox announced he will stand down as the party's chief executive in November. Mr Fox has held the post since July 2009 and has won praise for steering the Liberal Democrats through a rocky period since last year's general election.

They lost their state-funded grants for opposition parties when they entered the Coalition, forcing them to axe 20 jobs. Mr Fox also oversaw a move from the party's Cowley Street headquarters in Westminster to a new office opposite the Treasury. Mr Fox said: "Stepping down is one of the most difficult decisions of my life."