Deputy Liberal Democrat leader Simon Hughes has congratulated Labour on their South Shields win.
The Lib Dems came seventh place in the by-election, speaking to Daybreak Mr Hughes said, "the Tories were always the challengers and they've been knocked out by UKIP."
He added: "We appear to be doing well in our territory and not giving that up."
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Simon Hughes, who was the party's president until the end of 2008, denied that he ever knew about the allegations against Lord Rennard.
Mr Hughes told ITV News: "I can be categoric, I knew nothing of any allegation made to me over the four years when Lord Rennard was the chief executive. Nothing came to me formally, nothing came to me informally.
"I didn't see inappropriate behaviour and I was not aware of any complaints floating around and I think if they had been made in any specific way, they would have come my way."
Mr Hughes added it was "clear at the time" that Lord Rennard's 2009 resignation from his post as chief executive was down to health reasons.
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Simon Hughes told ITV's Daybreak that Nick Clegg "had no details of any specific allegations" against Lord Rennard.
Mr Hughes added that Lord Rennard made a "clear denial" when the claims were put to him.
Britain's oldest person - 113-year-old Grace Jones - has braved the elements to enjoy her Christmas dinner.
Grace, of Bermondsey, London, went out with pals and neighbours to tuck in to her turkey dinner with all the trimmings.
The supercentenarian wrapped up as temperatures dropped and headed to the lunch organised by Bermondsey Care for the Elderly.
Grace, who became Britain's oldest person in February and celebrated her 113th birthday on December 7, was collected by her friend and local MP Simon Hughes who drove her with neighbours for their special Christmas knees up.
The pensioner is the only person left in the country who started her life in the 19th century and when Queen Victoria was on the throne.
Grace, who said she thoroughly enjoyed the jubilee celebrations this year, is set to make another record by going strong into 2013.
The Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Simon Hughes told ITV1's The Agenda that he is opposed to the statutory regulation of the press.
Lord Justice Leveson's report is published on Thursday.
The Agenda is on ITV1 at 10.35pm and at 11:35pm in Scotland.
The Lib Dems Deputy Leader Simon Hughes told ITV1's The Agenda that he is opposed to the statutory regulation of the press.
He told ITV News Political Editor Tom Bradby: "There must be a strong argument for making sure we don't have a dominant force which runs all the channels so we don't have the choice, they influence too much and set the prices, set the agenda."
"There is the other issue which is about regulation... I'm not for having a statutory system but I am for having a system that says look there will be a fall-back."
Lord Justice Leveson's report is published on Thursday.
The Agenda is on ITV1 at 10.35pm and at 11:35pm in Scotland.
Deputy Liberal Democrat leader Simon Hughes has admitted exchanging text messages with Labour's Ed Miliband. Mr Hughes said it was a sign of "sensible, grown up politics" to talk to politicians from other parties.
His comments come after Business Secretary Vince Cable said he had sent texts to Labour leader Mr Miliband and shadow chancellor Ed Balls said he could work with the Lib Dem Cabinet minister on measures to boost the economy.
Mr Hughes said: "I've had text messages with Ed Miliband, I have his number on my phone. "In sensible, grown up politics you talk to people about how you get the best deal for Britain.
"I have talked to Tories and Labour people all my life in to Parliament...working together is a very good thing."
Asked about the OBE that Gary Barlow is due to receive, Liberal Democrat deputy leader Simon Hughes told ITV News that his tax affairs "should be a relevant consideration" but "it's probably hard to undo an award that has already been announced."
"If you don’t pay your taxes you’re not a fully decent citizen," he said, adding that the honours committee "should make sure that people are clean as far as their tax affairs are concerned."
The Liberal Democrats are not committed to "hanging on" to the 50p tax, the party's deputy leader Simon Hughes has said.
Mr Hughes said individual tax rates were not a "central aspect" of Wednesday's Budget for Lib Dems as long as the wealthiest end up paying more overall.
This comes amid days of speculation that Chancellor George Osborne will cut the levy to 45p next year and abolish the top rate by the time of the next election.
Mr Hughes said the Lib Dem manifesto committed them to lifting people out of tax at the bottom by closing loopholes at the top.