What are the LibDems afraid of?

I understand that at a recent hustings arranged for their two leadership contenders, the press duly turned up in order to report what was said.

The two candidates each gave a (prepared?) ten minute speech,but afterwards, before a question and answer session, the gentlemen of the press were quietly escorted out and excluded from the remainder of the meeting.

What were the organisers afraid of - that one or both candidates might give the game away, might say something that we suspect but have not yet heard? The press were probably miffed because they had taken the trouble to be present, and they could be forgiven it they feel that they will not be going to future events like this.

It is reminiscent of (President) Blair arriving to speak at a public meeting during the election campaign from which the public were excluded. In fact the entire audience seemed to have been supporters bussed in for the occasion.

Blair at least had the excuse that he didn't want to be interrupted by opponents,- at Telford when he came there were plenty of Conservatives outside to "greet" him, but do the Libdems honestly feel that the press were going to heckle or disturb? Their's was not a very liberal act!