The Winchester Liberal Democrat constituency executive committee was due to meet tomorrow at an undisclosed location to hear Mr Oaten explain his actions.

The local party has no power to 'sack' him but he would find if difficult to carry on should a sizeable number turn against him.

Mr Oaten is also due to hold a surgery for constituents tomorrow.

Local party chairman Harvey Cole said the venue and date of the meeting would not be revealed for fear of a media invasion.

Mr Cole said: "I do not want door-stepping journalists, TV and radio people outside. I had 90 phone calls from journalists last week.

"I don't see why we should make it easy for the media when they have not been making it easy for us," he said.

A Lib Dem city councillor, who asked not to be named, said: "The party is worried about being beseiged and not being able to have a meeting. There would be crowds of reporters outside waiting to know what was going on before and afterwards."

The councillor added: "Essentially the party can't do anything. We couldn't make him resign even if we wanted to. It is Mark's choice."

IN TONIGHT'S ECHO: Disgraced MP breaks his silence after male prostitute allegations forced him to resign from front benches of Liberal Democrats