The Liberal Democrats have "categorically" denied claims leader Nick Clegg knew of allegations of misconduct against the party's former chief executive, Lord Rennard.
The party launched two inquiries after Channel 4 News aired claims of sexual impropriety towards women by the peer.
Aides to the deputy PM have insisted he only learned of the complaints after the broadcast. Some press reports suggest he was told four years ago.
Lord Rennard denies the allegations.
The Lib Dems have launched an internal investigation into the allegations against Lord Rennard under the party's disciplinary procedures.
Party president Tim Farron is also reviewing the way the party has dealt with allegations of this sort in the past.
On Thursday, Channel 4 News broadcast allegations by two women of sexual impropriety over several years by Lord Rennard.
The women told the news programme he abused his position for years by inappropriately touching and propositioning them.
'Brushing parts of me'"Gradually his hand started to rub the outside of my leg," one of the women - a very active member of the Lib Dems - told Channel 4.
End Quote Spokesman for Nick CleggHe wants to get to the bottom of this and the complaints. These are very serious allegations"
"I thought at first he'd just brushed against me. Then I moved away and it happened again. And he moved closer - and I moved away again. And he moved closer, and he just kept brushing parts of me that I didn't want to be brushed."
One of the women said she had spoken to two senior party figures about her claims, but said no action was taken. Allegations from more women were broadcast on Friday.
Following newspaper reports that Mr Clegg had been told about allegations concerning Lord Rennard, a Lib Dem spokesman said: "Nick categorically did not know about these allegations."
The Mail on Sunday reported that one of the women who came forward to Channel 4 News discussed the allegations with a friend on Facebook in January 2009.
"I just don't know how nick can know and not do anything.. :-( makes me very sad," the paper said she posted.
The spokesman said: "There are no basis for claims that Nick knew - there is no way of verifying these allegations or checking who these people are."
Mr Clegg has been on holiday on Spain since the story surfaced, but is likely to give his response on Sunday.
The spokesman said Mr Clegg was happy to give evidence and participate in the two inquiries.
"He wants to get to the bottom of this and the complaints. These are very serious allegations," he said.
Mr Clegg's former Parliamentary aide, Jo Swinson, and now equalities minister, has said she "took action" after some women had confided in her, but she has not specified what form that action took. She said she welcomed the review so that "lessons can be learned".
'Deeply shocked'Announcing the inquiries on Saturday, Lib Dem chief executive Tim Gordon expressed regret that "it appears that we did not fully live up to our political ideals" when handling complaints about Lord Rennard.
He said a five-strong panel of party figures - including at least three women - would be assembled to conduct a "thorough and in-depth" investigation into the allegations.
Mr Gordon also said he was establishing a review of the party's procedures for dealing with such issues, which would involve non-party members and advice from external professional sources.
It is thought the inquiries could take three months to complete. Their proceedings would be confidential but the results would be made public, the Lib Dems said.
The inquiry will also look at whether Lord Rennard stood down as chief executive in 2009 for reasons other than that he gave at the time of health grounds.
Mr Gordon said: "We will not tolerate harassment in this party... we reaffirm not only our commitment to equality provisions but also to taking appropriate disciplinary sanctions against any employee or member who is found, following due process, to have engaged in harassment or impermissible discrimination."
Lord Rennard, a key party strategist and adviser to a succession of Lib Dem leaders, said he was "deeply shocked" about the allegations and said they were a "total distortion" of his character.
The peer said he knew of no complaints against him in his 27 years working for the party, but he has temporarily stood aside from the Lib Dems' group in the Lords to avoid "embarrassment" to the party.
The latest statement issued on his behalf said: "I absolutely deny any suggestion of improper touching, nor did I invite a woman to join me in my room."
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