Israel-Row Peer Hits Back At Nick Clegg

A peer disowned by the Liberal Democrats over comments she made about Israel has criticised Nick Clegg for "hastily" distancing himself from her.

During a visit to Middlesex University, Baroness Tonge warned Israel "would not be there forever" and would "reap what it had sown" in the Middle East.

When her remarks to students emerged, party leader Mr Clegg asked her to apologise or resign. She quit.

Baroness Tonge told the BBC on Friday she had received significant support since the row erupted.

"I think [Mr Clegg acted] very hastily and I think ill-advisedly. He's going to have a lot of flak about it, I do know that.

"Of course, I always have an enormous amount of flak and I am quite used to that. But I have also had an enormous amount of support," she added.

The peer and former MP denied her views were unfounded theories.

"My conspiracy theories? It is not a conspiracy theory. I base my comments on what is happening to Palestinians in those areas, let alone what is happening now in East Jerusalem.

"Everywhere you look and go you see the brutalisation of Palestinians. That is not conspiracy, that is facts on the ground."

She has said her original remarks were taken out of context and followed an "ill-tempered meeting in which Zionist campaigners attempted continually to disrupt proceedings".

The peer has been sacked by the Lib Dem front bench twice during her career for remarks about Israel.

Earlier this week, Mr Clegg said Baroness Tonge's remarks were "wrong and offensive and do not reflect the values of the Liberal Democrats".

He added: "The Liberal Democrats have a proud record of campaigning for the rights of Palestinians, and that will continue.

"But we are crystal clear in our support for a two-state solution."

Labour leader Ed Miliband wrote on Twitter: "No place in politics for those who question existence of the state of Israel."