A FORMER Kent Euro MP is to enter the race to become the leader of the Liberal Democrat party.

Chris Huhne, who represented the county’s interests in Europe until he became an MP at the general election, is set to join a field of candidates that looks like giving members a choice of at least four people to replace Charles Kennedy. Mr Huhne’s declaration is expected to be made tomorrow.

The 51-year-old MP for Eastleigh in Hampshire is a former economist and journalist.

Although likely to be an outsider in the race, Mr Huhne is seen by some in the party as an MP who could become a major player in the party, provided he can hang on to his slender majority of just over 500 in his constituency.

He recently led a policy review initiated by former party leader Charles Kennedy but is not widely known outside Liberal Democrat circles.