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Nick Clegg: I knew of concerns in 2008 about the conduct of Chris Rennard Nick Clegg: I knew of concerns in 2008 about the conduct of Chris Rennard
(7 months later)
The deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, has admitted that he knew of "indirect and non-specific" concerns in 2008 about the conduct of the Lib Dem party's then chief executive, and "acted to deal with them".The deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, has admitted that he knew of "indirect and non-specific" concerns in 2008 about the conduct of the Lib Dem party's then chief executive, and "acted to deal with them".
"My chief of staff at the time, Danny Alexander, put these concerns to Chris Rennard and warned him that any such behaviour was wholly unacceptable," Clegg said in a statement."My chief of staff at the time, Danny Alexander, put these concerns to Chris Rennard and warned him that any such behaviour was wholly unacceptable," Clegg said in a statement.
"Chris Rennard categorically denied that he had behaved inappropriately and he continues to do so. He subsequently resigned as chief executive on health grounds."Chris Rennard categorically denied that he had behaved inappropriately and he continues to do so. He subsequently resigned as chief executive on health grounds.
"As my office only received concerns indirectly and anonymously, as those involved understandably wanted to maintain their privacy, there was a limit to how we could take this matter forward following Chris Rennard's resignation.""As my office only received concerns indirectly and anonymously, as those involved understandably wanted to maintain their privacy, there was a limit to how we could take this matter forward following Chris Rennard's resignation."
Lord Rennard – a key party strategist and adviser to a succession of Lib Dem leaders before standing down due to ill health in 2009 – has said he is "deeply shocked" by the allegations, which he "strongly disputes" and regards as a "total distortion" of his character.The Liberal Democrat leader said the allegations made on Channel 4 News last Thursday had been "extremely serious and distressing to the women involved".Lord Rennard – a key party strategist and adviser to a succession of Lib Dem leaders before standing down due to ill health in 2009 – has said he is "deeply shocked" by the allegations, which he "strongly disputes" and regards as a "total distortion" of his character.The Liberal Democrat leader said the allegations made on Channel 4 News last Thursday had been "extremely serious and distressing to the women involved".
"It is critical they are investigated thoroughly and dealt with properly and they will be," he insisted."It is critical they are investigated thoroughly and dealt with properly and they will be," he insisted.
"But I would like to make one thing crystal clear. I did not know about these allegations until Channel 4 informed the party of them shortly before they were broadcast."But I would like to make one thing crystal clear. I did not know about these allegations until Channel 4 informed the party of them shortly before they were broadcast.
"I have today spoken to one of the women in the broadcast whom I respect and admire and who confirmed that she had never raised the issue with me."I have today spoken to one of the women in the broadcast whom I respect and admire and who confirmed that she had never raised the issue with me.
"I am angry and outraged at the suggestion that I would not have acted if these allegations had been put to me."I am angry and outraged at the suggestion that I would not have acted if these allegations had been put to me.
"Indeed, when indirect and non-specific concerns about Chris Rennard's conduct reached my office in 2008, we acted to deal with them.""Indeed, when indirect and non-specific concerns about Chris Rennard's conduct reached my office in 2008, we acted to deal with them."
Clegg said there were "legitimate concerns that issues raised with the party were not handled as well as they should have been".Clegg said there were "legitimate concerns that issues raised with the party were not handled as well as they should have been".
He said an independently chaired review would be held into Lib Dem procedures and how they were applied at the time.He said an independently chaired review would be held into Lib Dem procedures and how they were applied at the time.
A separate investigation will be carried out into Lord Rennard under the party's disciplinary process.A separate investigation will be carried out into Lord Rennard under the party's disciplinary process.
"I am absolutely determined that both these investigations will be carried out thoroughly and comprehensively," he went on."I am absolutely determined that both these investigations will be carried out thoroughly and comprehensively," he went on.
"These investigations may well reveal flawed procedures, and clearly the women concerned feel they were not properly listened to. But I totally reject the insidious suggestion that my office or I are responsible in any way for a deliberate cover-up."These investigations may well reveal flawed procedures, and clearly the women concerned feel they were not properly listened to. But I totally reject the insidious suggestion that my office or I are responsible in any way for a deliberate cover-up.
"The full truth of what happened and what failed to happen and who said what to whom will be revealed by these investigations."The full truth of what happened and what failed to happen and who said what to whom will be revealed by these investigations.
"But in the meantime, I will not stand by and allow my party to be subject to a show trial of innuendo, half-truths and slurs."But in the meantime, I will not stand by and allow my party to be subject to a show trial of innuendo, half-truths and slurs.
"The important thing is that we respect the women who have come forward and do everything to get to the truth. That is what will now happen.""The important thing is that we respect the women who have come forward and do everything to get to the truth. That is what will now happen."
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