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Lord Rennard: Peer suspended after apology row Lord Rennard: Peer suspended amid Lib Dem apology row
(35 minutes later)
Liberal Democrat peer Lord Rennard has been suspended from the party after declining to apologise over sexual harassment claims. The Lib Dems have suspended Lord Rennard after he refused to apologise over sexual harassment claims.
An internal committee rescinded the ex-chief executive's membership pending disciplinary proceedings - meaning he cannot sit in the House of Lords. It means the ex-chief executive cannot represent the party in the House of Lords pending disciplinary proceedings.
Leader Nick Clegg has been under growing pressure to act over the issue. Lord Rennard said he felt "regret" if he had unintentionally caused any women "hurt, embarrassment or upset" but he would not formally apologise.
Lord Rennard said he felt regret if any women had been "hurt" by his conduct but he would not formally apologise. One of his accusers said the party's credibility was at stake and it was "untenable" for him to keep the whip.
The party has been convulsed by a deepening row over the issue, with allies and critics of Lord Rennard taking different sides over his future. The party has been convulsed by a deepening row over the issue, with allies and critics of Lord Rennard taking different sides over his future and party leader Nick Clegg under growing pressure to act.
The Lib Dems confirmed they were taking action against the peer following a meeting of their Regional Parties Committee on Monday. After hours of speculation as to whether the Lib Dem peer would resume his seat in the Lords, the party confirmed it was taking action against the peer following a meeting of their Regional Parties Committee.
'Disrepute''Disrepute'
It said the peer had failed to apologise, as requested by an independent investigation into his conduct last week, and disciplinary proceedings would now follow to determine whether he had brought the party into disrepute.It said the peer had failed to apologise, as requested by an independent investigation into his conduct last week, and disciplinary proceedings would now follow to determine whether he had brought the party into disrepute.
"Nick Clegg made clear last week, and again this morning, that it would be inappropriate for Lord Rennard to resume the Liberal Democrat whip unless he apologises," a spokesperson said."Nick Clegg made clear last week, and again this morning, that it would be inappropriate for Lord Rennard to resume the Liberal Democrat whip unless he apologises," a spokesperson said.
"Lord Rennard has refused to do so. The Regional Parties Committee today decided to suspend Lord Rennard's membership of the party pending a disciplinary procedure."Lord Rennard has refused to do so. The Regional Parties Committee today decided to suspend Lord Rennard's membership of the party pending a disciplinary procedure.
"As such, he cannot return to the Liberal Democrat group in the House of Lords.""As such, he cannot return to the Liberal Democrat group in the House of Lords."
BBC deputy political editor James Landale said the development would be a huge blow to Lord Rennard, who effectively ran the party for many years and regarded it as "his family".BBC deputy political editor James Landale said the development would be a huge blow to Lord Rennard, who effectively ran the party for many years and regarded it as "his family".
But it did not draw a line under the saga, he added. But it did not draw a line under the saga, he added. Lord Rennard will still be able to attend Parliament as an independent.
Lord Rennard resigned the party whip last year amid claims he had made unwanted sexual advances to several women and touched them inappropriately. He resigned the party whip last year amid claims he had made unwanted sexual advances to several women and touched them inappropriately.
The allegations were investigated by senior barrister Alistair Webster QC, who concluded they could not be proved beyond reasonable doubt.The allegations were investigated by senior barrister Alistair Webster QC, who concluded they could not be proved beyond reasonable doubt.
He said there was broadly credible evidence dating back several years of "behaviour which violated the personal space and autonomy of the complainants" and recommended the peer should apologise as a matter of "common manners".He said there was broadly credible evidence dating back several years of "behaviour which violated the personal space and autonomy of the complainants" and recommended the peer should apologise as a matter of "common manners".
'Not my intention''Not my intention'
But Lord Rennard says he cannot apologise for legal reasons, as it would be an admission of guilt - although several of the women involved have said they will not consider any further action in the event of an apology. But Lord Rennard says he cannot apologise for legal reasons, as it would be an admission of guilt and claimed he had been told last week that he would be given the whip back.
In a statement on Monday, Lord Rennard claimed he had been told last week that he would be given the whip back and "matters should rest" there. "If ever I have hurt, embarrassed or upset anyone, then it would never have been my intention and, of course, I regret that they may have felt any hurt, embarrassment or upset," he said in a statement.
"If ever I have hurt, embarrassed or upset anyone, then it would never have been my intention and, of course, I regret that they may have felt any hurt, embarrassment or upset," he said.
"But for the reasons given, I will not offer an apology to the four women complainants. I do not believe that people should be forced to say what they know they should not say, or do not mean.""But for the reasons given, I will not offer an apology to the four women complainants. I do not believe that people should be forced to say what they know they should not say, or do not mean."
He said he wanted the "threats" against him to be withdrawn: "I very much regret the wounds that have opened up within my party because many people have acted without being aware of the facts."
His legal adviser, Lord Carlile, has warned that the peer will consider legal action against the party if the whip is not reinstated.His legal adviser, Lord Carlile, has warned that the peer will consider legal action against the party if the whip is not reinstated.
The BBC understands the Lib Dems want a "short and sharp" disciplinary process - likely to be lead by a independent legal figure - to begin as soon as possible. The BBC understands the Lib Dems want a "short and sharp" disciplinary process - likely to be led by a independent legal figure - to begin as soon as possible.
If he is found to have brought the party into disrepute, the peer could face potential expulsion from the party.If he is found to have brought the party into disrepute, the peer could face potential expulsion from the party.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast before the action was taken, Mr Clegg suggested the peer should apologise as a matter of "basic decency".Speaking to BBC Breakfast before the action was taken, Mr Clegg suggested the peer should apologise as a matter of "basic decency".
He added: "I have a duty of care not only to those women... I have a duty to say loud and clear as leader of the Liberal Democrats that I expect everybody to treat each other with civility and dignity... particularly people in a position of authority."He added: "I have a duty of care not only to those women... I have a duty to say loud and clear as leader of the Liberal Democrats that I expect everybody to treat each other with civility and dignity... particularly people in a position of authority."
Bridget Harris, one of four party activists who made the allegations, has resigned from the party, saying it is in an "absolute mess", while Alison Smith insisted she was not seeking any legal redress. Bridget Harris, one of four party activists who made the allegations, tweeted that "for the Lib Dems to have a future credible voice on equalities or women, it is untenable to imagine Lord Rennard can remain on their benches".
"This has never been about courts and lawyers," she tweeted. 'Safe for women'
"The reason we pursued the Rennard issue doggedly is to change the culture for the future. Politics will only be a safer place for women if all parties make difficult choices and change from within." And Alison Smith insisted she was not seeking any legal redress.
Labour's deputy leader Harriet Harman said the women were being "hung out to dry" and urged Mr Clegg to take decisive action. "This has never been about courts and lawyers," she tweeted. "The reason we pursued the Rennard issue doggedly is to change the culture for the future.
"Politics will only be a safer place for women if all parties make difficult choices and change from within."
But Lib Dem Euro MP Chris Davies backed the former chief executive, saying he had been "through a year of hell".But Lib Dem Euro MP Chris Davies backed the former chief executive, saying he had been "through a year of hell".
"This is a good, decent man who is being punished by the party with a leadership that seems to be showing scant regard for due process and the presumption of innocence," he said."This is a good, decent man who is being punished by the party with a leadership that seems to be showing scant regard for due process and the presumption of innocence," he said.
And Lib Dem peer Lord Greaves said the row threatened to destroy the party, with the two sides "just shouting to each other across this void".And Lib Dem peer Lord Greaves said the row threatened to destroy the party, with the two sides "just shouting to each other across this void".