Scottish MP Jo Swinson favourite to become new Lib Dem boss after gaining backing from Tim Farron

SCOTTISH MP Jo Swinson is firm favourite to take over as Lib Dem boss after securing the backing of ousted leader Tim Farron, The Sun can reveal.

Punters have flocked to back the 37 year old ex-Minister as it emerged Mr Farron had originally hoped to stay on for a year after only making a tiny gain in seats at last week’s Election.

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Ms Swinson lost her seat in 2015 but made a Commons comeback last week in a rare good result for the troubled pro-EU party.

Ex-Ministers Norman Lamb and Sir Ed Davey were last night also tipped to throw their hats in the race.

Former Business Secretary Sir Vince Cable also refused to rule out a tilt at the job.

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But last night party sources said while  Tim Farron was officially neutral, he was fully backing Ms Swinson behind the scenes.

Religious groups yesterday jumped to the defence of outgoing chief  who resigned on Wednesday saying it was too hard to be a devout Christian and a party leader.

Christian Today said: “During the election, various Christian candidates where targeted for some pretty unsavoury media attention, political criticism and activist protests.

"Their crime? They are Christians."

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The Evangelical Alliance’s Dr Dave Landrum wrote:  "As Tim Farron conceded ‘we are kidding ourselves if we think we yet live in a tolerant, liberal society.’”

Lib Dem insiders reveal there were tears in the party HQ after the leader’s sudden decision to throw in the towel after meeting senior party figures.

The party of 12 MPs will choose  a new leader at a contest next month.