Rules shake-up to allow non-MPs to stand as next Liberal Democrats leader

The Liberal Democrat's next party leader might not have to be a member of parliament.

Current leader Sir Vince Cable is expected to announce reforms to allow candidates outside of the party's existing 12 MPs to run for office, as he seeks to push deeper involvement for supporters in its internal election process.

On 7 September, Cable will announce a registered supporters scheme for the Liberal Democrats, replicating a similar model used by the Labour party in its last leadership election.

The rules will also be adjusted so that supporters must have registered at least 12 months before voting, in order to crack down on unwelcome infiltration and vote rigging.

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However party representatives speaking to the BBC downplayed earlier reports in the Sunday Times that the move is part of a timetable for Cable to step down.

Cable came under fire in July after missing a key Brexit vote in the House of Commons on amendments to the Customs Bill.

It has been suggested Cable is hoping to emulate the success of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with the 7 September plans, whose party jumped from third place to secure power in 2015.