Mark Speakman stands down as leader of NSW Liberals with Kellie Sloane expected to replace him

Mark Speakman, left, has announced he is standing down as NSW Liberal leader and has endorsed first-term MP Kellie Sloane, right, as his replacement. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP

The New South Wales Liberals are expected to choose former journalist and first-term MP Kellie Sloane to replace Mark Speakman as the state’s opposition leader, after Speakman bowed to pressure and resigned.

Speakman, who began Thursday defending his leadership in a round of media interviews, stepped down at 5pm, saying he had been visited by Sloane, who had said she wanted to be the leader.