The Liberal Democrats in Harrogate: Steel's appeal is rejected

To some embarrassment for Sir David Steel, the conference rejected his plea not to threaten to withdraw from the Liberal International unless the organisation throws out the extreme right-wing Freedom Party of Austria. Sir David is president-elect of the Liberal International which has its headquarters in London.

The FPO was suspended from it for two years in November 1991. After hearing its leader, Jorg Haider, described as 'a vile man' who had been exploiting racial conflict, Liberal Democrats called for the FPO to be expelled when the suspension is up. Failing that, the UK party should withdraw.