But the handling of the complaints, particularly by their leader Nick Clegg, has done far greater damage.

At first Mr Clegg said he knew nothing about the allegations, which Lord Rennard denies. Later he said he had been aware of "indirect and non-specific concerns" about Lord Rennard's conduct towards women in 2008.

His then chief of staff, Danny Alexander, put the claims to Lord Rennard and warned him that such behaviour was unacceptable.