Mr Farron - a committed Christian who was repeatedly questioned during the election campaign as to whether he believed gay sex was a sin - said his religion had made him a "subject of suspicion". His announcements follows the decision by Brian Paddick, the former police commander, who said he was resigning as the party's home office spokesman "over concerns about the leader's views on various issues that were highlighted during GE17". “And it occurs to me really that this had become a talking point, an issue.”

Speaking today Mr Farron said he had been torn between his religion and serving as a political leader. The politician admitted some of his comments concerning the matter could have been wiser – when asked if homosexuality is a sin he had previously responded: “We are all sinners.”

After the matter refused to go away and surfaced again during the election campaign, Mr Farron said it had felt “impossible” to be both Lib Dem leader and a Christian. Sir Simon, who has been friends with Mr Farron since university, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "He said very clearly he had become the subject of suspicion because of what I believe or what my faith is ... and it would be the same for people of other faiths who have strong faith views. That’s why I have chosen to step down as leader of the Liberal Democrats.”

He said that from the “very first day” of his leadership he had faced questions about his Christian faith and that he had tried to answer with “grace and patience”, adding: “Sometimes my answers could have been wiser.”

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Tim Farron resigns as leader of the Liberal Democrats amid controversy concerning his views on gay sexual practices.