Lib Dems gather for spring conference amid controversy - BBC News

8 March 2013 Last updated at 01:57 ET

Liberal Democrats are gathering in Brighton for their spring conference during troubled times for the party.

Lib Dem president Tim Farron has said the party is in a "critical state" and its survival is not guaranteed.

The conference comes a day after the wife of ex-cabinet minister Chris Huhne, Vicky Pryce, was found guilty of perverting the course of justice.

Party leader Nick Clegg is also facing questions over his handling of allegations made against Lord Rennard.

Mr Farron likened the party to a cockroach for its ability to survive but said this should not be taken for granted.

He said "99%" of people "don't care" about the sexual harassment claims against Lib Dem peer Lord Rennard.

But he said the Lib Dems "certainly appear to have let people down" over the handling of the allegations.

Lord Rennard, former Lib Dem chief executive, denies the allegations.

Seat held

Senior figures in the party are also facing questions about when they knew of allegations that Pryce had taken speeding points on her husband's behalf.

Pryce will be sentenced along with her husband at a future date. He pleaded guilty to the same charge.

The Lib Dems tasted victory in the Eastleigh by-election last week when they held the seat but with a reduced share of the vote, ahead of the UK Independence Party.

Mr Clegg said Lib Dem candidate Mike Thornton had pulled off a "stunning victory" which had been secured "against the odds".

The by-election was called after Huhne resigned as an MP following his admission he had perverted the course of justice over the driving licence points.

BBC political correspondent Chris Mason said there would be three names hanging in the air in Brighton - Eastleigh, Rennard and Huhne - with the first, at least, a positive one.

He said Mr Clegg was expected to tackle the issue of the claims against Lord Rennard head on at a rally on Friday night to mark International Women's Day.

Mr Clegg would talk about the need to change in terms of party structure as well as the potential for gender discrimination and abuse of power, our correspondent said.

The name of the independent chairman who would look into the issues for the party was also likely to be announced.

Mr Clegg will start the conference on Friday evening with a speech to a rally of party activists.