Why WON'T Clegg launch inquiry into Cyril Smith cover-up?

Liberal MP Cyril Smith (centre) with former Liberal
party leaders Jeremy Thorpe, left, and David Steel

Pressure mounted on Nick Clegg to hold an independent inquiry into the Cyril Smith paedophilia scandal last night as Paddy Ashdown became the fourth Liberal Democrat leader to deny knowledge of the abuse.

Opposition MPs accused the Deputy Prime Minister of putting up a smokescreen by claiming he knew nothing of Smith’s vile activities because they occurred before his party existed in its current form.

Lord Ashdown, who led the Lib Dems from 1988 to 1999, yesterday insisted he did not know of the 29stone late Liberal MP’s serial abuse of boys while he was at Westminster.

Ashdown was elected to Parliament in 1983 and retired in 2001. Smith served as Liberal and later Lib Dem member for Rochdale from 1972 to 1992.

This meant they would have been part of a small group of Liberal or Lib Dem MPs for nine years.

Lord Ashdown told the Daily Mail: ‘You ask whether I was aware of allegations about Cyril Smith during the time you refer to. The answer is no.’  (more...)

Why WON'T Clegg launch inquiry into Cyril Smith cover-up?