Poll: Should Nick Clegg continue as Lib Dem leader?
Nick Clegg was today remaining defiant – as Vince Cable insisted he had "absolutely no knowledge" of damaging polling conducted in the Liberal Democrat leader's constituency by his friend Lord Oakeshott.
The Business Secretary denied he knew about controversial polling leaked to newspapers this week which showed the Lib Dems could lose the Deputy Prime Minister's Sheffield Hallam constituency at the next general election but could fare better with a different leader.
Once Lord Oakeshott was widely named as the source, speculation became rife that his former ally Dr Cable was lining up a potential bid for the party leadership after disastrous local and European election results for the Lib Dems. But Dr Cable moved to quell the rumours he was involved in the polling – as Lord Oakeshott resigned from the party. The Business Secretary said: "I had absolutely no knowledge of, or certainly was not involved in any commissioning of the surveys. We have clearly disagreed about the handling of this, I have made that very clear and I want to make it clear I will continue with my work and I hope he reconsiders his position about the party in due course."
Mr Clegg has insisted that he will continue as leader following disastrous Euro and local election results.
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