As Daniel Hannan so rightly posts, the media had already decided Malcolm Pearson's fate the day he was appointed Leader of UKIP - and during the general election made a concerted effort to 'get him'.
It says much of our politics - and political system - that a decent, honourable man, speaking in a reasoned manner with no hint of hectoring, is derided as 'ineffectual' and even his resignation statement 'mocked' by some in the media.
Another post on Lord Pearson and Ukip is here, one that also offers an interesting view and opinion and made by someone who has a knowledge of Ukip.