Former business secretary Sir Vince Cable has announced he is standing to replace Tim Farron as Liberal Democrat leader.

Sir Vince was returned to Parliament earlier this month and becomes a frontrunner in the party race after former favourite Jo Swinson dropped out.

Former business minister Ms Swinson will instead contest the deputy leadership in a move that reportedly anticipated Sir Vince's bid for the top job.

Mr Farron quit last week, within days of the General Election, after facing scrutiny over his Christian views.

"To be a political leader, especially of a progressive liberal party in 2017, and to live as a committed Christian, to hold faithfully to the Bible's teaching has felt impossible," Mr Farron said.