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Clegg says Lib Dem peer trying to 'undermine' party Clegg says Lib Dem peer trying to 'undermine' party
(35 minutes later)
Nick Clegg has said Lord Oakeshott is seeking to "undermine" the Lib Dems after the peer commissioned an opinion poll suggesting the party would do better with a new leader.Nick Clegg has said Lord Oakeshott is seeking to "undermine" the Lib Dems after the peer commissioned an opinion poll suggesting the party would do better with a new leader.
He described Lord Oakeshott's actions as "a great pity" and accused him of taking "pot shots" at his own side.He described Lord Oakeshott's actions as "a great pity" and accused him of taking "pot shots" at his own side.
Business Secretary Vince Cable, a former ally of Lord Oakeshott, has distanced himself from the poll. Business Secretary Vince Cable, a former close ally of Lord Oakeshott, has distanced himself from the poll.
The row comes after the Lib Dems' dire performance in European elections.The row comes after the Lib Dems' dire performance in European elections.
Asked during an event in east London whether Lord Oakeshott faced disciplinary action, Mr Clegg said "appropriate steps" would be taken when Parliament returned from its Whitsun recess next week.Asked during an event in east London whether Lord Oakeshott faced disciplinary action, Mr Clegg said "appropriate steps" would be taken when Parliament returned from its Whitsun recess next week.
Sources close to Mr Clegg said that "no options" had been ruled out.Sources close to Mr Clegg said that "no options" had been ruled out.
Mr Clegg said it was "wholly unacceptable" for a senior member of the party "rather than trying to go out and win votes, was spending money and time trying to undermine the fortunes of the party". 'Unacceptable'
The BBC's Norman Smith said there was real anger in the party about Lord Oakeshott's actions but the question remained whether he acted alone or Mr Cable had any involvement - something he has denied. Mr Clegg said it was "wholly unacceptable" that a senior member of the party "rather than trying to go out and win votes, was spending money and time trying to undermine the fortunes of the party".
Norman Smith said it was unclear how widespread the unease in the party was about Mr Clegg's leadership after the elections setbacks. The BBC's Norman Smith said there was real anger in the party about Lord Oakeshott's actions but the question remained whether he acted alone or whether Mr Cable had had any involvement - something he has denied.
It emerged on Tuesday that Lord Oakeshott had commissioned an ICM poll which suggested the Lib Dems would pick up votes in four seats, including Mr Clegg's own Sheffield Hallam constituency, if Mr Cable replaced Mr Clegg as leader. The Lib Dems have said they are "100% sure" that Mr Cable played no part in the poll and that the business secretary took "proactive steps" to denounce it.
Norman Smith said it would be up to Lib Dem peers to decide whether to take any action against Lord Oakeshott, a former Treasury spokesman in the Lords, such as removing the party whip.
It emerged on Tuesday that Lord Oakeshott had paid for an ICM poll which suggested the Lib Dems would pick up votes in four seats, including Mr Clegg's own Sheffield Hallam constituency, if Mr Cable or other figures replaced Mr Clegg as leader.
It suggested that the party was on course to lose Sheffield Hallam and three other seats - Cambridge, Redcar, and Wells - next year unless there was a change at the top.It suggested that the party was on course to lose Sheffield Hallam and three other seats - Cambridge, Redcar, and Wells - next year unless there was a change at the top.
The polls, conducted without Mr Clegg's knowledge, were conducted in April and early May, before the English councils and European Parliament elections. The polls, conducted without Mr Clegg's knowledge, were taken in April and early May, before the English councils and European Parliament elections.
Respondents were asked who they intended to vote for in 2015 and a series of other questions, including whether they recognised their local MP and what issues would influence their voting intentions.Respondents were asked who they intended to vote for in 2015 and a series of other questions, including whether they recognised their local MP and what issues would influence their voting intentions.
They were also asked whom they would vote for "if Nick Clegg stepped down as Liberal Democrat leader and Business Secretary Vince Cable moved into the job".They were also asked whom they would vote for "if Nick Clegg stepped down as Liberal Democrat leader and Business Secretary Vince Cable moved into the job".
'Distraction''Distraction'
The same questions were asked to gauge how people would vote if Mr Clegg were replaced by either party president Tim Farron or Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander.The same questions were asked to gauge how people would vote if Mr Clegg were replaced by either party president Tim Farron or Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander.
Although the polls suggested there would be a rise in support for the Lib Dems if any of the three men replaced Mr Clegg, it suggested the party could still struggle to retain any of the seats.Although the polls suggested there would be a rise in support for the Lib Dems if any of the three men replaced Mr Clegg, it suggested the party could still struggle to retain any of the seats.
Mr Cable has described Lord Oakeshott's actions as "totally inexcusable and unacceptable".Mr Cable has described Lord Oakeshott's actions as "totally inexcusable and unacceptable".
"Commissioning and publishing polls without the consent of the Member of Parliament, as in the case of Sheffield Hallam, is utterly reprehensible," he said. "Commissioning and publishing polls without the consent of the Member of Parliament, as in the case of Sheffield Hallam, is utterly reprehensible," he said on Tuesday.
"Public speculation about the leadership is an unwelcome distraction, and as I made absolutely clear yesterday there is no leadership issue as far as I'm concerned.""Public speculation about the leadership is an unwelcome distraction, and as I made absolutely clear yesterday there is no leadership issue as far as I'm concerned."
A separate poll by the Lib Dem voice website on Tuesday suggested that 39% of party supporters wanted Mr Clegg to step down, with 54% backing him. A separate poll by the Lib Dem voice website on Tuesday suggested 39% of party supporters wanted Mr Clegg to step down, with 54% backing him.