Nick Clegg's party was today rocked by the resignation of a senior peer, who warned that the Liberal Democrats are “heading for disaster” unless he quits as leader.
Lord Oakeshott, a close ally of Business Secretary Vince Cable, attacked Mr Clegg — accusing him of leaving the Lib-Dems with “no roots, no principles and no values”.
Mr Cable was himself dragged further into the furore after the peer claimed he had told the Cabinet minister weeks ago about damaging private polling. Mr Clegg had today threatened to discipline Lord Oakeshott for leaking the poll, said to be a deliberate attempt to destabilise him after last week’s election pummelling.
Mr Cable was also forced to disown the peer to avoid speculation that he too was involved in any bid to undermine Mr Clegg. After quitting, Lord Oakeshott apologised to the Business Secretary but dragged him further into plotting speculation by revealing that Mr Cable knew about the poll results weeks ago.
In his statement, Lord Oakeshott said: “I am today taking leave of absence from the House of Lords and resigning as a member of the Liberal Democrats. I am sure the party is heading for disaster if it keeps Nick Clegg and I must not get in the way of the many brave Liberal Democrats fighting for change.”
Recalling the day he helped to found the party, he said: “We then wanted a radical progressive party, not a ‘split the difference’ centre party with, in Shirley Williams’ memorable words, no roots, no principles and no values. But that is where Nick Clegg has led us.” Last week the Lib-Dems lost 11 out of 12 MEPs along with more than 300 councillors across the country.
Then on Tuesday an ICM opinion poll commissioned by a Lib-Dem member was leaked to the press. It suggested Mr Clegg could lose his own seat at the general election. It also showed that more than half of Mr Clegg’s constituents thought he was doing a bad or “very bad” job as Deputy Prime Minister.
After speculation began that Mr Cable might have had something to do with it, the Cabinet minister named ally Lord Oakeshott as the source. Mr Cable condemned the actions of the peer as “totally inexcusable and unacceptable”.
He added “The commissioning and publishing of polls without the consent of the Member of Parliament is utterly reprehensible.”
Speaking in London today Mr Clegg said Lord Oakeshott’s act- ions were “totally unacceptable”. He vowed that “appropriate steps” would be taken against him. But Mr Cable faced further questions about his role after it emerged that Lord Oakeshott had reportedly told Mr Cable of the poll results “several weeks ago”.
The furore came as Mr Clegg today tried to unite the party by broadcasting a video message saying that despite recent difficulties the Lib-Dems were like a “big family”. Party divisions have been laid bare in recent days after hundreds of members signed an open letter asking Mr Clegg to stand down.
