David Steel steps down as report criticises responses to Westminster abuse claims

Inquiry says Lib Dem put ‘political expediency’ ahead of ‘child protection’

Lord Steel
Lord Steel
(Image credit: (Aaron Chown/Pool/AFP via Getty Images))

David Steel has quit the Liberal Democrats and will retire from the House of Lords “as soon as possible” following yesterday’s publication of a report into allegations of child sexual abuse linked to Westminster.

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse accused Steel of an “abdication of responsibility” when he learned about allegations of child abuse against his fellow MP, Cyril Smith.

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