When the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change isn’t telling newspapers what they can and cannot write relating to his brief, he just goes for out and out abuse of his opponents. Here is not so liberal or democratic Ed Davey today:

“Of course there will always be those with a vested interest in the status quo who seek to create doubt where there is certainty. And you will always get crackpots and conspiracy theorists who will deny they have a nose on their face if it suits them.”

Davey himself would never have a vested interest, other than last year declaring that his brother works for City law firm Herbert Smith, lawyers to eco-spivs, of course. Some might say going after conflicted climate change sceptics in the week after Tim Yeo was jettisoned and replaced on the Energy and Climate Change select committee by a man with shares in Shell is a bit brave. His entire brief is rotten to the core with MPs with vested interests…

‘A Million Jobs’, Nick Clegg’s new campaign to create a million more private sector jobs, particularly focusing on young people, launched today:

And ‘Million Jobs’, the campaign launched six months ago by 23-year-old Lottie Dexter, aiming to find jobs for the one million young unemployed adults in Britain:

Where could Nick have possibly got his inspiration?

“I think mistakes were definitely made. They were made by Nick Clegg, Danny Alexander and Jo Swinson.”

Paul Burstow “deeply regrets” his own mistakes and has apologised to the woman concerned. Helena Morrissey slams him for not taking concerns to the party president. Complaints were handled mainly by Jo Swinson and Danny Alexander, their actions were “ultimately not sufficient”. Comms chief turned Clegg’s Chief of Staff Jonny Oates gets both barrels:

“Oates’ denial of Clegg’s awareness was more black-and-white than the reality of the situation. While it was technically true that Clegg was unaware of the specific alleged incidences as detailed by the newspaper in their correspondence with him, Oates could have made it clear that Clegg was aware of several anonymous, ‘non-specific’ allegations.”

Developing…

Interim chair of the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee Sir Robert Smith isn’t quite as conflicted as his predecessor, but he’s making a good go of it. The LibDem baronet has registrable shareholdings in Shell Transport and Trading. He also took a donation from BP International last year. He has shares in Rio Tinto and Glaxosmithkline.

Guido had not heard of Sir Bob until five minutes ago, but the case for banning committee chairman from having outside interests grows stronger…

As Sky News’ Amber Elliott points out, the LibDems’ own rules say that “during the course of the Disciplinary Procedure, the person being complained against may be suspended from membership of the Party”. This is expected to happen later today. Fresh from the Rennard scandal, Clegg cannot be seen to dither on this one, though it’s too late for that. These allegations have been circulating for years and Clegg’s office were notified about them directly, as Guido revealed in February.

So why so keen to act all of a sudden?

Well a source familiar with the High Court action against the MP suggests that “LibDem leaders, past and present, could well be called to give evidence” in the upcoming civil case. Why Clegg ignored this dossier, and why the Leader of Portsmouth Council dismissed the allegations as “political” might well be of interest to the judge. Would give a new meaning to Call Clegg…

“Following Mike Hancock’s receipt of legal papers in a High Court civil action, Nick Clegg has asked the Chief Whip to convene an urgent meeting under the disciplinary procedures of the parliamentary party between Nick Clegg, Simon Hughes, the Chief Whip and Mike Hancock. 

Mike Hancock strenuously denies the accusations made in the civil action. We are not prejudging the outcome of the case, but given the seriousness of the allegations, Nick Clegg has instructed the Chief Whip to invoke the disciplinary procedures of the party.”

He says he won’t jump before he’s pushed…

Talking of headaches for Dave, last night’s ICM/Guardian poll has UKIP on 18%, their highest ever rating and double their ICM rating for a month ago. Labour, the Tories and the LibDems all lost four points each, with Labour falling below Ed’s fabled 35% target. UKIP are up nine points. What was that about a referendum?

You might have thought that being under a police investigation for his hands on approach to promoting female candidates would see LibDem HQ keeping randy Rennard out of the spotlight. His influence on the LibDem candidate selection process might give good reason to keep him away from, say, Lib Dem candidates, surely? No,  it’s all hands to the pump…

In the run-up to last week’s local elections the pervy-peer was busy campaigning for the party in Eastbourne, boasting afterwards: “we held all six seats that we were defending in Eastbourne including Upperton where I was helping”. Guido wonders what HQ make of his involvement? 

UPDATE: A LibDem spokesman tells Guido: “we were only made aware of it by his posting on Facebook. He is free to make his own decisions. His membership is under investigation.”

BREAKING Met Police have now launched formal investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Lib Dem peer Lord Rennard—
Cathy Newman (@cathynewman) April 23, 2013

Developing…

Our understanding is that the Metropolitan Police are investigating two complaints from victims who have come forward – we have had the names for some time.

Last week he was crossing the yellow line at Parliament, this week sleazy LibDem MP Mike Hancock has been busted parking in a reserved doctor’s bay. He’s used to crossing the line…

H/T @theblueguerilla