Former Montgomeryshire MP Lembit Opik says he is "astounded" after learning of his expulsion from the Liberal Democrat Party today.

The Lib Dems have not offered an official reason for the expulsion of Mr Opik, who was Montgomeryshire MP between 1997 and 2010, however the matter has been reported elsewhere as concerning a guest appearance at a Conservative party event in the run-up to Senedd elections in March this year.

Mr Opik says he has appealed against the decision to expel him, and believes the party has violated it's own complaints procedure by confirming his expulsion publicly before the result of an appeal has been heard.

"I am astounded to learn this news from the County Times," he said.

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"My understanding is that an individual is complaining about me in the party but, as the party itself has confirmed, I have the right to appeal against these complaints through a formal process.

"The party itself has insisted that when dealing with a complaint there's an internal conflict resolution procedure between the complainant, respondent and panel and all communications must be direct between the parties and cannot be conducted with third parties.

"The party is disrespecting the very processes it has insisted on enforcing upon me on June 7."

He added that he still felt optimistic that a resolution could be reached, and said he would respect the outcome of an internal complaints procedure.

"My aim has always been to make the country better and my belief for decades has been that the Liberal Democrats provide the best way to do this," he added.

"I still hope and believe that the Liberal Democrats are faithful to the fundamental principles of fair play and justice and as such I will wait to see what remedy they offer.

"I'm afraid I can't say more than that because I will respect the Liberal Democrats complaints procedure, even if the party itself appears not to. "