Lembit Opik compares himself to Nelson Mandela

Former Liberal Democrat MP Lembit Opik went on to the offensive after being routed in the London Mayoral election – comparing himself to Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela and claiming he would stage an Arnold Schwarzenegger-style comeback.

Listen to Lembit Opik's Nelson Mandela claim: click here.

Mr Opik, who was MP for Montgomeryshire from 1997 to 2010, said that he would not be throwing his toys out of the pram.

He said: "I think like every great politician you have to have some wilderness years. Nelson Mandela had them. Many other people had them."

He then declared: "In the words of Arnie Schwar-zenegger, I'll be back."

Mr Opik had been hoping to secure the Liberal Democrats' nomination as Mayor of London, but was soundly beaten by three other candidates.