“I absolutely deny any suggestion of improper touching, nor did I invite a woman to join me in my room.

“I note that these alleged instances supposedly took place in public bars with other people present.

“I am disappointed and angry that anonymous accusations from several years ago are once again being made public in this manner in a clear attempt to damage my reputation.

“Let me reiterate that in 27 years working for the Liberal Democrat Party, not a single personal complaint was ever made against me to my knowledge.”

With the ironic timing of yesterday’s Pollard Review, LibDems are comparing the cover-up to the BBC’s handling of the Jimmy Savile scandal. What did Clegg’s office know and when?