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Nick Clegg tells Lib Dem conference party 'let people down' Nick Clegg tells Lib Dem conference party 'let people down'
(about 1 hour later)
The Liberal Democrats "let people down" by not dealing with claims made against the party's ex-chief executive, Nick Clegg has said. The Liberal Democrats "let people down" by not dealing with claims made against the party's ex-chief executive Lord Rennard, Nick Clegg has said.
He said allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour against Lord Rennard would be "investigated thoroughly and independently". The leader told party delegates that allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards women would be "investigated thoroughly and independently".
Lord Rennard has denied the claims.Lord Rennard has denied the claims.
Mr Clegg said women who made complaints were not properly dealt with in the past and it was up to the party to make sure support structures were in place.Mr Clegg said women who made complaints were not properly dealt with in the past and it was up to the party to make sure support structures were in place.
In his speech, on International Women's Day, the deputy prime minister told delegates in Brighton: "When concerns were brought to the attention of members of my team we acted to address them. In his speech, on International Women's Day, the deputy prime minister told delegates gathering at the party's spring conference in Brighton: "When concerns were brought to the attention of members of my team, we acted to address them.
"But this should not have just been the responsibility of a few individuals acting with the best of intentions."But this should not have just been the responsibility of a few individuals acting with the best of intentions.
'No excuse''No excuse'
"It must be the responsibility of the party as a whole to make sure we have the processes and support structures in place now and in the future."It must be the responsibility of the party as a whole to make sure we have the processes and support structures in place now and in the future.
"We didn't, and as a result we let people down. Liberal Democrats, that is not acceptable to me.""We didn't, and as a result we let people down. Liberal Democrats, that is not acceptable to me."
Mr Clegg described the Lib Dems as "a party that cherishes equality and women's rights" adding that, as such, it had "no excuse for failing to live up to the highest standards in the treatment of women".Mr Clegg described the Lib Dems as "a party that cherishes equality and women's rights" adding that, as such, it had "no excuse for failing to live up to the highest standards in the treatment of women".
The party leader said he had entered politics because he believed in "empowerment; freedom; dignity".The party leader said he had entered politics because he believed in "empowerment; freedom; dignity".
"I believe that, where an individual feels that they have been badly treated, or that power has been abused, they must have confidence that those concerns will be properly addressed," he added."I believe that, where an individual feels that they have been badly treated, or that power has been abused, they must have confidence that those concerns will be properly addressed," he added.
The spring conference comes at a turbulent time for the Lib Dems.The spring conference comes at a turbulent time for the Lib Dems.
Lib Dem president Tim Farron has said the party is in a "critical state" and its survival is not guaranteed. Lib Dem president Tim Farron has said it is in a "critical state" and its survival is not guaranteed.
And former Lib Dem cabinet minister Chris Huhne and his ex-wife Vicky Pryce are to be sentenced on Monday for perverting the course of justice. Meanwhile former Lib Dem cabinet minister Chris Huhne and his ex-wife Vicky Pryce are to be sentenced on Monday for perverting the course of justice.
The party has appointed businesswoman Helena Morrissey to head an independent inquiry into how it handled harassment complaints in the past.The party has appointed businesswoman Helena Morrissey to head an independent inquiry into how it handled harassment complaints in the past.
It is one of two investigations triggered by allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Lord Rennard.It is one of two investigations triggered by allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Lord Rennard.
The conference comes a week after the Lib Dems held Huhne's former seat of Eastleigh, Hampshire, in a by-election.The conference comes a week after the Lib Dems held Huhne's former seat of Eastleigh, Hampshire, in a by-election.
Mr Farron, in an interview with The House Magazine, likened the party to a "cockroach" for its ability to survive, but said this should not be taken for granted.Mr Farron, in an interview with The House Magazine, likened the party to a "cockroach" for its ability to survive, but said this should not be taken for granted.
'Stunning victory''Stunning victory'
Meanwhile, senior figures in the party are facing questions about when they knew of allegations that Pryce had taken speeding points on her husband's behalf.Meanwhile, senior figures in the party are facing questions about when they knew of allegations that Pryce had taken speeding points on her husband's behalf.
Pryce will be sentenced along with her ex-husband on Monday. He pleaded guilty to the same charge.
The Lib Dems tasted victory in the Eastleigh by-election last week when they held the seat but with a reduced share of the vote, ahead of the UK Independence Party.The Lib Dems tasted victory in the Eastleigh by-election last week when they held the seat but with a reduced share of the vote, ahead of the UK Independence Party.
Mr Clegg said Lib Dem candidate Mike Thornton had pulled off a "stunning victory" which had been secured "against the odds".Mr Clegg said Lib Dem candidate Mike Thornton had pulled off a "stunning victory" which had been secured "against the odds".
The by-election was called after Huhne resigned as an MP following his admission he had perverted the course of justice over the driving licence points.The by-election was called after Huhne resigned as an MP following his admission he had perverted the course of justice over the driving licence points.
Former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell told BBC Radio 4's Today programme this showed that "rumours of our demise are grossly exaggerated".Former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell told BBC Radio 4's Today programme this showed that "rumours of our demise are grossly exaggerated".
However, national opinion poll ratings continue to hover around the 10% mark.However, national opinion poll ratings continue to hover around the 10% mark.
Ms Morrissey, the chief executive of Newton Investment Management, to look at the party's culture and processes, its attitude towards women and the employment relationship between staff, elected officials and volunteers.Ms Morrissey, the chief executive of Newton Investment Management, to look at the party's culture and processes, its attitude towards women and the employment relationship between staff, elected officials and volunteers.