Of course, I knew that Lihn was dead, but when the people I was with offered to take me to meet him I accepted without hesitation.

NEWYORKER: Meeting with Enrique Lihn

"We had the best candidate, I think that was accepted even by those who didn't vote for him, " he claimed.

BBC: Polls close in Eastleigh by-election

On Tuesday morning I explained to the prime minister what had occurred, apologised for it and offered him my resignation, which he accepted.

BBC: News | UK Politics | Ron Davies's speech in full