Britain's pro-EU Liberal Democrats on Friday said they would elect a new leader to replace Jo Swinson, who lost her seat in the general election.
Swinson's deputy Ed Davey and party president Sal Brinton will become joint acting leaders and a leadership election will take place in the new year, the Lib Dems said.
The party looked set to win no more seats than in the last election in 2017, despite a huge increase in support in European Parliament elections earlier this year.
Swinson said her own loss in East Dunbartonshire in western Scotland, and the victory for Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservatives, was "hugely disappointing".
She defended her campaign, focused on a promise to reverse Brexit, saying: "We were honest about what we believe in and what we were trying to achieve.
"This is clearly a setback for liberal values.
"But there are millions of people across the country who believe in them. By coming together to fight for them, we can create a positive future."
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