correspondent James Landale chairs a live, televised debate with the three candidates answering questions submitted by the public. 17 February The BBC's Newsnight programme alleges that Chris Huhne misused European Parliamentary money in his general election campaign. Huhne denies this. 19 February The Observer newspaper surveys the chairs of Liberal Democrat local parties. Of those who respond, eight indicate support for Simon Hughes, eighteen for Chris Huhne and nineteen for Menzies Campbell. 23 February The candidates attend the final hustings meeting of the campaign in London. 25 February An unweighted poll for The Guardian taken of 422 members attending the London hustings puts Huhne on 36%, Campbell on 29% and Hughes on 21% and suggests that the second preferences of Hughes voters would put Huhne on 53% and Campbell on 47%. A poll of 100 members for The Independent at the same event puts Campbell on 51%, Hughes on 31% and Huhne on 18%. The Independent shifts its support from Campbell and announces that it is "leaning towards" Huhne. 26 February The Independent on Sunday backs Chris Huhne. 28 February The three candidates are all interviewed on the BBC programme The Daily Politics. 1 March The final votes are received and the ballot closes. 2 March Turnout was 72%. Hughes was eliminated after the first round, with Campbell ahead. After transfers, Campbell won. Campbell's victory automatically resulted in the Deputy Leadership becoming vacant. See: 2006 Liberal Democrats deputy leadership election. References Leadership election 2006 timeline Liberal Democrats leadership election