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| Lord Rennard: Peer suspended after 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 party's former chief executive insists he has done nothing wrong and wants to resume his seat in the Lords. | |
| But an internal party committee has suspended his membership pending disciplinary proceedings. | But an internal party committee has suspended his membership pending disciplinary proceedings. |
| The party has been convulsed by a deepening row over the issue, with leader Nick Clegg urged to take action. | The party has been convulsed by a deepening row over the issue, with leader Nick Clegg urged to take action. |
| Shortly after the announcement was made, Lord Rennard confirmed he would not be appearing in the Lords as had been expected. | |
| The Lib Dems said they were taking action against the peer following a meeting of their Regional Parties Committee on Monday. | |
| 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. | |
| "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." | |
| The BBC's 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. | |
| Legal action | |
| Lord Rennard resigned the party whip last year amid claims he 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. | |
| 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". | |
| 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. | |
| His legal adviser, Lord Carlile, has warned that the peer will consider legal action against the party if the whip is not reinstated. | |
| Speaking to BBC Breakfast, 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." | |
| Mr Clegg, who has not spoken to Lord Rennard since last week's report was published, added: "If he does not apologise and this goes on and on, of course further steps will have been taken." | |
| Bridget Harris, one of four party activists who made the allegations, has resigned from the party, saying it is in an "absolute mess", while others threatened to do the same if the whip was restored. | |
| Labour's deputy leader Harriet Harman said the women were being "hung out to dry" and urged Mr Clegg to take decisive action. | |
| But Lib Dem Euro MP Chris Davies backed the former chief executive, saying he had been "through a year of hell," 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. | |
| But Lib Dem peer Lord Greaves said: "We've got two sides saying different things, which aren't even opposite things because they don't relate to each other. | |
| "They are just shouting to each other across this void, which is getting wider and wider, and frankly if it goes on much longer it will destroy the party." |