Lord Rennard row: 'Great unity behind Nick Clegg'

Lord Rennard has taken a step closer to starting legal action against the Lib Dems after claims that he sexually harassed female party members.

The peer had his party membership temporarily suspended after he refused to apologise over the claims.

But he is expected to seek a court order within days to try and halt disciplinary proceedings against him.

Liberal Democrat president Tim Farron told the BBC's Norman Smith: "No one is trying to make anybody suffer... but the bottom line is the leader is right, [Rennard] needs to apologise."