Lib Dems lift ban on shamed Lord Steel

LORD Steel has been readmitted to the Liberal Democrats – despite an ongoing investigation into his defence of abuser Cyril Smith.

The Lib Dem peer was suspended in March after he admitted to an independent inquiry that he knew about the crimes of the late paedophile MP but took no action. Lord Steel, 80, even said he would act the same way again, even though Smith went on to abuse other victims. There was fury last night after he had the party whip restored and his suspension lifted.

Peter Saunders, who runs charity NAPAC which supports abuse survivors, said: ‘The message that sends out to survivors and others is that they and the institutions are not taking them or the crimes seriously.’ The Lib Dems declined to comment.