91原创 East MLA Rich Coleman has been named the interim leader of B.C.鈥檚 official opposition following Friday鈥檚 that she will step down as leader of the BC Liberal Party.

But he said he currently has no plans to pursue the role on a more permanent basis.

鈥淚 told caucus this morning that have no intention at this time to seek the leadership, and if I ever did change I would step down 鈥� and I don鈥檛 plan to step down,鈥� Coleman said.

Clark announced on Friday morning that she would resign as leader of the BC Liberal party, effective Aug. 4.

A visibly emotional Coleman addressed the media in Penticton, following a Liberal caucus meeting, offering praise for Clark, and saying the party is determined to renew and move forward.

鈥淚鈥檝e never worked with anybody with more passion and love, and strength of leadership in my entire life,鈥� he said.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a tough day for our 鈥� BC Liberal family. We think the world of her and we were very disappointed this morning when she let us know that decision.

鈥淚 knew she was struggling with what she wanted to do,鈥� Coleman said.

鈥淎t some point in time, you come to the conclusion it鈥檚 time for you to move on, and she has, and we will be forever grateful to Christy.

鈥淢e, as an individual, I will value her friendship for the rest of my life.鈥�

鈥淗aving said that, our caucus has to move forward,鈥� Coleman continued.

鈥淏ritish Columbians expect us to be ready to go into a legislative session come September, so my caucus has asked me to step forward to lead the official opposition.

鈥淲e鈥檒l be ready by fall. In the meantime, I will assume this role as the official opposition leader on a day that鈥檚 pretty tough for all of us.鈥�

Asked why Clark would decide to step down before the NDP-Green coalition government has had chance to prove itself, Coleman replied that it is her decision and the party respects it.

He said the move will give her more time to spend with her son and her family.

Clark has been in been public life, on and off, since 1996, Coleman said, noting a premier typically works 70-80 hours per week, 鈥渁ll the time.鈥�

鈥淲hen she came back to run, she really saved our party, saved our organization and put us on a very good footing and I think she can walk out with head high that she accomplished more than anybody thought she could.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a tough decision to decide to run for leadership in first place 鈥� and a tough decision to decide to move on.鈥�