Does Simon Hughes already have the Lib Dem deputy leadership sown up?

This morning, following Tim Farron yesterday, Simon Hughes became the second declared candidate for the deputy leadership of the Liberal Democrats.

And if the report in the Independent is correct, he has almost won the contest already:

Launching his candidacy in his south London constituency, Mr Hughes said he already had pledges of support from 25 Lib Dem MPs - just four short of the 29 votes needed to win the June 9 ballot.