Legal Threat to Lib Dem Party

SOLICITORS for the abused victims have said they are considering taking action against the Liberal Democrats.  Nick Clegg has said that sexual abuse allegations against the former Lib Dem MP, Sir Cyril Smith, are shocking and must be investigated 'to the bitter end'.

The party's leader said victims needed to feel 'justice is on their side'.

After Cyril Smith died in 2010, Nick Clegg, deputy Prime Minister and the leader of the Liberal Democrat party declared:

'Cyril Smith was a larger-than-life character and one of the most recognisable and likeable politicians of his day. I am deeply saddened to hear the news of his death today, and offer my sincere condolences to his family and friends. Everybody in Rochdale knew him not only as their MP but also as a friend. He was a true Liberal, dedicated to his constituency, always showing great passion and determination. Cyril was a colourful politician who kept the flame of Liberalism alive when the party was much smaller than it is today. Rochdale and Britain have sadly lost one of their great MPs, and I think we can safely say there will never be an MP quite like Cyril Smith again.'

Police have now said young boys were abused by the late MP at a children's home he opened in the 1960s. He was never prosecuted.

Concerns have been raised that a dossier of evidence against him went missing in 1970.

Channel 4's Dispatches programme last week revealed details from the file and made allegations of security services involvement.

Mr Clegg told BBC Radio 5 live:
'I'm shocked and appalled by the allegations I've seen.  I would like to see the police and the long arm of justice, even after all these long years, finally pursue this to the bitter end.'

Smith was first a Liberal councillor for Rochdale and then the MP. He was knighted in 1988 and died in September 2010.