The Liberal Democrats have suspended the peer at the heart of a row over claims he harassed a former Aberdeen councillor and other party activists.
Lord Rennard now faces an investigation for bringing the Lib Dems into disrepute by failing to apologise to the women who made complaints against him.
The former party chief executive, who cannot represent the party in the House of Lords pending the disciplinary proceedings, said he felt “regret” if he had unintentionally caused any women “hurt, embarrassment or upset” – but insisted he would not formally apologise.
A spokesman for Lord Rennard described the suspension as “extraordinary” and said the peer was “taking legal advice with a view to civil action against the party”.
Alison Smith, who served as the Liberal Democrat councillor for Aberdeen’s Gilcomston ward from 2003-07, was one of the four women to make the allegations last year.
She said yesterday: “This has never been about courts and lawyers. The reason we pursued the Rennard issue doggedly is to change the culture for the future.
“Politics will only be a safer place for women if all parties make difficult choices and change from within.”
Nick Clegg had made clear that he would not be reinstated until he said sorry, telling him: “No apology, no whip.”