Jean Charest quashes rumours of Conservative leadership bid to replace Stephen Harper

Jean Charest has ended speculation that he mightbe a candidate to replace outgoing Conservative leader Stephen Harper.

• After Stephen Harper, who will lead the Conservatives?

"I will not be a candidate to succeed Mr. Harper. I am very happy with my new life and with my work at the McCarthy Ttrault law firm," Charest wrote in an email to Radio-Canada.

Charestis on a business trip to France and Asia and will only return to Canada on November 11.

No candidate has comecome forward to replace Harper, who stepped down following the Conservative defeat last Monday.

Some names mentioned as possible aspirants to the Conservative leadership include Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall andMPs Kellie Leitch, Maxime Bernier,Lisa Raitt andJason Kenney,

Charest served as Quebec premier from April 29, 2003 to September 19, 2012. Prior to that he served as Progressive Conservative MP from September 4, 1984 to November 30, 1998.

Charest was the youngest-ever Canadian cabinet minister while serving under Brian Mulroney andlaterplaced second in the leadership Progressive Conservative 1993 leadership race behind Kim Campbell.