MP Simms courted to lead Liberals

CBC News has learned that a group of Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal organizers has been trying to convince Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor MP Scott Simms to seek the provincial party leadership.

Sources say Simms will meet with party supporters this week in Ottawa to discuss the possibility of launching a leadership bid.

Simms has previously said he wasn't interested in the job.

While he is willing to meet with party organizers, a Liberal source said the key factor against Simms running is largely financial.

There is no open seat in the legislature, so if Simms resigned as an MP to seek the leadership he would have to live without a salary.

If Simms won the party's top job, the source said the provincial Liberals are so deep in debt that Simms would not be able to count on the party for financial support.

A source also said Simms could make a decision before the end of this week.

Party insiders have also been expecting news from Humber-St. Barbe-Baie Verte MP Gerry Byrne.

Byrne has also been considering a leadership bid and has said he would make a decision by the end of January.