[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-18413431

Lib Dem MPs are to abstain in a Commons vote on Wednesday calling for an investigation into whether Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt has broken the ministerial code of conduct.

Labour want his handling of News Corp's BSkyB bid referred to David Cameron's adviser on ministerial interests.

The BBC's Nick Robinson said Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg had told a meeting of his MPs and peers not to "support the Tories on this one" and "to stay away".

The outcome of Wednesday's vote - on an opposition motion - will not be binding on the government and even if all 57 Lib Dem MP withhold their support by abstaining, the vote is still likely to go the government's way.

However, our political editor said it would cause significant tension within the coalition and was an implicit criticism of the PM's judgement on Mr Hunt's future.

Nice one, Cleggy, but not enough .....