Nick Clegg came under fire today after the Liberal Democrats suffered a "humiliating" by-election blow.
The party lost its deposit and shed more than 4,000 votes as Labour held on to Inverclyde. Lib-Dem candidate Sophie Bridger, 20, secured 627 votes, while Labour's Iain McKenzie fought off a challenge from the Scottish National Party to retain the seat vacated by the death of David Cairns.
Lib-Dem former MSP Ross Finnie said the "humiliating result" showed "clear issues of trust in the leadership of the Liberal Democrat party". And Lib-Dem MP Mike Crockart said being in coalition with the Tories had made life "difficult" in Scotland. Others called on Mr Clegg to show "more muscle".
Party sources said the seat was "always going to be a real no-hoper".
