Lib Dem peer Lord Rennard could face a new investigation into his conduct.
He is due to return to the Lords on Monday but party leader Nick Clegg has said he should not until he apologises to women who claim he sexually harassed them, allegations the peer denies.
Party officials now say members are complaining he is bringing the party into disrepute by not apologising.
This could spark a new disciplinary process, with Lord Rennard facing suspension until it is complete.
In a separate development, a former aide to Mr Clegg has quit the party and accused it of a failure to show "moral leadership".
Bridget Harris, one of four party activists who made allegations against the peer, accused Mr Clegg of being reluctant to enter a row with party grandees in the Lords.
She told the Observer the episode was a "classic Lib Dem fudge".
Legal actionLord Rennard resigned the party whip last year amid claims he made unwanted sexual advances to several women and touched them inappropriately.
An internal inquiry into the claims last week concluded there was broadly credible evidence dating back several years of "behaviour which violated the personal space and autonomy of the complainants".
However, it concluded that allegations of sexual misconduct could not be proven beyond reasonable doubt, as the party's internal disciplinary procedures require.
Alistair Webster QC, who led the inquiry, recommended Lord Rennard apologise and change his behaviour.
And party leader Mr Clegg later said the whip should not be restored unless he did so, but party rules dictate it is for peers to decide to welcome Lord Rennard back into the fold.
Lord Rennard's legal adviser Lord Carlile has said the peer will not apologise. Lord Rennard has also said he cannot apologise for legal reasons.
His allies, meanwhile, have threatened to take legal action unless he is readmitted to the Lords on Monday.
'Further division'Party officials said members had been writing to its head office over the weekend to complain that Lord Rennard's failure to apologise was bringing the party into disrepute.
This could spark a new disciplinary process which would mean he would be suspended until that process was complete.
It comes after Channel 4 News revealed a Facebook message in which Lord Rennard said he had considered offering an apology.
He wrote: "I tried to make/consider an apology years ago, but was totally rebuffed by the complainants. One accepted then reneged!
"An appeal and further legal actions are threatened, so I could not apologise in any event even if justified (which it is not).
"It would damage the women and the party much more if I said any more." The post has since been deleted.
BBC political correspondent Iain Watson said Mr Clegg was facing the prospect of further division in the run-up to his party's spring conference and difficult European elections.
The party leader has already said Lord Rennard will not have any role in the party's 2015 election campaign.
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