Charlie Maynard, the Liberal Democrat MP for Witney, resigned from his role as Treasury spokesman on Friday and called for the replacement of party leader Sir Ed Davey, according to the Financial Times. The move marks a rare public break within the Lib Dem leadership ranks.

Maynard was first elected in 2024, winning the traditionally Conservative seat with a majority exceeding 4,000. The Financial Times first reported the resignation.

Sources close to Davey acknowledge that a "small group" of Liberal Democrat MPs are unhappy with his leadership, with Maynard among them. Maynard is the second frontbencher to leave his post this week. Alison Bennett stepped down as spokesperson for care and carers on an unspecified date, though associates indicated the departure was not for personal reasons.

Party officials moved quickly to defend Davey. Deputy leader Daisy Cooper stated: "The vast majority of our MPs support Ed, want him to lead the party into the next election, and are furious at this distraction." Former party leader Tim Farron noted that under Davey's leadership, the party stood to match or exceed its 2024 performance of 72 MPs, adding: "To think we're helped by this kind of rubbish, you'd need to be smoking the kind of stuff even we aren't in favour of legalising."

Several other Lib Dem MPs posted statements supporting Davey on social media Friday evening.

Julian Brazil, a Liberal Democrat council leader previously critical of Davey, suggested additional resignations might follow. Speaking to BBC Radio 5Live, Brazil said: "I would have thought that in the next few days, we will see if there's a groundswell behind him." Brazil characterized Davey as a "fantastic leader" but contended: "For whatever reasons people aren't listening to Ed, they don't take notice of him, so we need to have a fresh start."

Some Lib Dem MPs have recently attacked Davey over his response to pension policy. Last week, Davey criticized Andy Burnham's announcement that he would adjust the triple lock, the mechanism guaranteeing annual state pension increases in line with inflation, wage growth or 2.5%, whichever is highest. One unnamed Lib Dem MP described Davey's argument as "nonsense."

Under party rules, a leadership contest requires a majority vote of no confidence from all Lib Dem MPs. Candidates need nominations from at least 10% of the parliamentary party and backing from 200 members across at least 20 local parties.

Davey has led the party for six years. The BBC approached Maynard for comment but received no response.