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Lib Dem EU rebels to quit roles Senior Lib Dems quit over EU vote
(about 3 hours later)
Two Liberal Democrat MPS have resigned from their frontbench roles so they can defy party orders and vote in favour of a referendum on the EU treaty. Three Liberal Democrats have resigned from their frontbench roles after they joined another 10 MPs in defying party orders over the EU referendum vote.
Leader Nick Clegg has ordered his 63 MPs to abstain in the vote on calls for a referendum on the EU Lisbon Treaty. Leader Nick Clegg had ordered his 63 MPs to abstain in the vote on calls for a referendum on the EU Lisbon Treaty.
But Scotland and Northern Ireland spokesman Alistair Carmichael and countryside spokesman Tim Farron have both quit to vote in favour. But frontbenchers Alistair Carmichael, Tim Farron and David Heath all stepped down so they could vote in favour. Mr Clegg immediately revamped his team.
MPs Richard Younger-Ross and Sandra Gidley say they will also rebel. The Conservative call for a referendum was defeated by 311 votes to 248.
And there is speculation that there will be further resignations among the Lib Dem frontbench team as a result of the vote at 1900 GMT.
Health spokeswoman Mrs Gidley told the BBC: "Rightly or wrongly, my constituents will perceive that I have broken a promise I made at the last election if I do anything other than vote in support of a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty."
Mr Younger-Ross, a culture spokesman, said he opposed the treaty as he had the EU Constitution.
Mr Farron says he will quit as countryside spokesman
"My concern is and always has been the lack of democratic accountability and centralising nature of the EU," he said in a statement.
"I will therefore support the reform treaty referendum amendment as the only way to get these issues debated."
The Lib Dem leader wants a wider referendum on whether Britain should remain in the European Union.The Lib Dem leader wants a wider referendum on whether Britain should remain in the European Union.
He has told his MPs to abstain from Wednesday night's vote on whether to hold a referendum on the EU Treaty. He told his MPs to abstain from Wednesday night's vote on whether to hold a referendum on the EU Treaty.
A series of resignations would be a blow to Mr Clegg's authority, coming less than three months after he became leader. The resignations are a test for Mr Clegg's authority, less than three months after he became leader.
Roles reassigned
He said he "greatly regretted" the loss of the three spokesmen, adding: "Though we have disagreed on this issue I fully understand and respect their strongly held views on the subject."
"However, as they have recognised, the shadow cabinet cannot operate effectively unless the principle of collective responsibility is maintained.
"I am grateful for their offer of strong support from the backbenches, and I know that they will all play a very significant role in the future of our party."
Within minutes of the result the party released exchanges of letters between the three and Mr Clegg.
He also said that countryside matters, previously looked after by Mr Farron, would transfer to environment spokesman Steve Webb.
Justice matters, previously looked after by Mr Heath, will be transferred to form part of home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne's responsibilities.
Mr Carmichael's role as Scotland and Northern Ireland spokesman will be looked after by international development spokesman Michael Moore.