Ball poised to serve as interim Liberal leader

West coast MHA Dwight Ball is expected to take over the leadership of Newfoundland and Labrador's Liberals, at least on an interim basis, CBC News has learned.

Liberal sources tell CBC News the move will be announced later this week.

Ball was the last politician to be named victorious on election night in October, in a tight race in Humber Valley. His win clinched Official Opposition status for the Liberals, who won just one more seat than the New Democrats.

Ball will be the face of the Liberal party in question period when the legislature opens this spring.

Sources say the move will be made official at a news conference on Thursday in St. John's.

Ball will replace Kevin Aylward, who announced his plans to step down after failing to win a seat in the Oct. 11 election. Aylward had said he would stay on until the party found a replacement.

Ball will also replace Jones in the role of Opposition leader. Jones said she had no interest in continuing in that role while she recovers from breast cancer.

Jones is taking on both roles on an interim basis only.

Last month, Liberal party president Judy Morrow said she would prefer to see a leadership convention not take place until 2013, giving the party time to rebuild.

The Liberal executive has yet to decide when such a convention might be held. Insiders say the decision is on hold until early in the new year.