Willie Rennie says he is trying to entice the party's former UK leader to run in next year's Scottish Parliament election.
The party said it made the move because the country was in its biggest crisis since the Second World War.
Inquiry accuses former Liberal leader of 'abdication of responsibility' over child sex allegations against late MP Cyril Smith.
Just 14 of 42 flood protection schemes have been completed, a freedom of information request has revealed.
The Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh was due to open in July last year.
The Scottish Lib Dem leader told STV's Scotland Tonight that his party wants to stop both.
Politicians will seek to win over Scotland's voters as they gear up for the general election.
