a newspaper that Oaten had repeatedly visited a male prostitute. Oaten resigned his frontbench position. Hughes was also forced to admit previously having homosexual relations, after his initial denial of the allegations. From close of nominations to end of voting Three candidates remained at the close of nominations on 25 January 2006: Campbell, Hughes and Huhne. At the beginning of the campaign, the expectation had been that the leadership campaign would reflect debates within the party between social liberals (represented by Hughes) and market liberals (represented by Oaten). However, as events unfolded, the campaign became dominated by personal issues. This trend continued when Hughes was pressured into admitting to previously having had homosexual as well as heterosexual relationships, after having previously denied being gay. Hughes also apologised for elements of homophobic campaigning in the 1983 Bermondsey by-election that had brought him into the Commons. Peter Tatchell, who came second in the 1983 election, praised Hughes's apology and recommended that Liberal Democrat party members vote for him. Hughes slipped back in the betting markets. Shortly after voting papers were posted to party members, a series of polls and quasi-polls suggested that the campaign was now a close race between Campbell and Huhne. With Huhne emerging as a leading candidate after having previously been little-known, media coverage began to focus on him. The final days before the result was announced then saw a surge for Campbell on the betting markets. The result was a decisive win for Campbell. Campbell's victory resulted in his office of Deputy Leader becoming vacant. He was succeeded by Vincent Cable in the 2006 Liberal Democrats deputy leadership election. Candidates Standing At the close of nominations on 25 January 2006, the following had been successfully nominated. Sir Menzies "Ming" Campbell Supporters included: MPs: Paul Burstow (agent), Danny Alexander, Norman Baker, John Barrett, Tom Brake, Colin Breed, Jeremy Browne, Malcolm Bruce, Vince Cable, Alistair Carmichael, Nick Clegg, Ed Davey, Don Foster, Andrew George, Julia Goldsworthy, Nick Harvey, John Hemming, Paul Keetch, Norman Lamb, David Laws, Michael Moore, John Pugh, Alan Reid, Dan Rogerson, Adrian Sanders, Sir Robert Smith, Jo Swinson, Matthew Taylor, Sarah Teather, John Thurso, Jenny Willott Lords: Lord McNally (Liberal Democrat leader in the House of Lords), Baroness Williams of Crosby, Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope (who is working on Campbell's campaign), former Liberal Democrat leader Lord Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon, former Liberal leader Lord Steel of Aikwood, Lord