More sexual secrets in the life of 'Paddy Pantsdown'

Now Paddy Ashdown, the former leader of the Liberal Democrat, has revealed details of another sexual encounter – when he was seduced by his teacher at the age of 14.

The former diplomat revealed the episode in his new autobiography, in which he described a sexual relationship with a married female maths teacher.

The 68-year-old, now known as Lord Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon, said he was receiving maths lessons from a married woman at a boarding school when she initiated a sexual relationship.

In the book he describes the woman's open blouse, the way she bent over his book and "allowed" her breast to brush against him.

He said yesterday: "I suppose I could have broken into a moralistic dialogue, but it would have seemed pretty anachronistic to do so.

"It was a rite of passage, and you are always grateful to those who help you through rites of passage. Let's assume I was a woman writing that – would I have told it differently? I honestly don't think so." But he also concedes it was a form of abuse.

His autobiography, A Fortunate Life, also briefly describes the 1991 revelation of his affair.

Documents were stolen from his solicitor's office that revealed he had a brief affair with his secretary, Tricia Howard, some years earlier.

His wife, Jane, had forgiven him already and his opinion ratings went up in the wake of the scandal.

Lord Ashdown also pulls no punches when describing former Lib Dem leader David Steel.

"David Steel was always thought to be that nice wee David Steel – but he was a b****** behind the scenes. I use that in the best sense of the word. Complete political ruthlessness… I am a great Steel admirer."