The Lib Dems have suspended Lord Rennard from the party after its former chief executive refused to apologise over sexual harassment claims.
The peer said he felt “regret” if he had unintentionally “hurt” any women but would not apologise for something he “had not done”.
He was considering a legal bid to reverse the suspension, the peer added.
Bridget Harris, one of his accusers and a former adviser to party leader Nick Clegg, welcomed the action against him.
It signalled that “this kind of behaviour is not tolerated”, she explained on Sky news.
“I absolutely welcome the fact that the Liberal Democrats have taken the very strong message that if someone is not willing to apologise and they’re not willing to accept responsibility for their behaviour then they shouldn’t be entitled to be a member of the Liberal Democrats.”
Lord Rennard resigned the party whip last year amid claims, which he denies, that he had made unwanted sexual advances to several women and touched them inappropriately.
The allegations were investigated by senior barrister Alistair Webster QC, who concluded they could not be proved beyond reasonable doubt.
But he also said the evidence of the four women who lodged complaints was “broadly credible” and urged the peer to apologise.
Lord Rennard says he cannot apologise for legal reasons, as it would be an admission of guilt.
In a 2,600 word statement, he said he had suffered from “severe stress, anxiety and depression” as a result of the allegations.
“If ever I have hurt, embarrassed or upset anyone, then it would never have been my intention and, of course, I regret that they may have felt any hurt, embarrassment or upset,” he said.
“But for the reasons given, I will not offer an apology to the four women complainants. I do not believe that people should be forced to say what they know they should not say, or do not mean.”
