VETERAN MP Mike Hancock has resigned his membership of the Liberal Democrats.

The move came after the disgraced Portsmouth South MP, who had already been suspended by the party, was forced publicly to apologise to a vulnerable woman constituent for making improper sexual advances.

In June, Mr Hancock gave an "unreserved" apology at London's High Court over an "inappropriate and unprofessional friendship" with a single mother known as Annie.

Solicitors for the woman said the apology was part of a "confidential settlement" in which the "vulnerable woman", who suffers from mental health problems, brought a claim for damages.

A LibDem spokesman said Mr Hancock had quit before an internal party disciplinary hearing.