Lib Dem leader hopeful Norman Lamb wins a celebrity backer

Although Labour's celebrity endorsements from Martin Freeman, Robert Webb and Russell Brand did little to help the party in the election, Norman Lamb will be hoping his new backer will help him win the Liberal Democrats leadership contest.

Dappy, the N-Dubz singer, has come out as backing Lamb to be the next leader of the Liberal Democrats:

I'm backing @NormanLamb to become leader of the Liberal Democrats and help put power back in the hands of individuals http://t.co/cp5hzX7NNr

— Dappy (@TheDappy) May 14, 2015

Although Lamb, who helped fund Tinchy Stryder's music career when the rapper was starting out, appears to have the musician vote, his rival Tim Farron is cleaning up when it comes to his fellow Lib Dems. Farron has pointedly retweeted a tweet pointing out that Lib Dem supporters of Nick Clegg are backing him:

Interesting that both @duncanhames and @joswinson - close allies of Nick Clegg - are backing @timfarron as LD leader. Not what some expected

— Kiran Stacey (@kiranstacey) May 14, 2015

Still, no word from Clegg yet.

Update: Lamb may not have the support of Lib Dems Duncan Hames or Jo Swinson but he does at least appear to have been given a vote of confidence from the Tories. Jeremy Hunt has tweeted his thanks for all the work his 'fav Lib Dem' Lamb has done in the coalition.

Finally, thanks to my fav Lib Dem @normanlamb. A gentleman &real pleasure to work with. Determined to build on his legacy on mental health.

— Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) May 14, 2015

Given how the coalition ended for the Lib Dems, Lamb may wish to play down his Tory links.