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Rennard may take legal action over Lib Dem suspension Rennard may take legal action over Lib Dem suspension
(about 1 hour later)
Lord Rennard is considering seeking a court injunction to lift his suspension by the Liberal Democrats.Lord Rennard is considering seeking a court injunction to lift his suspension by the Liberal Democrats.
The peer had his membership temporarily suspended after he refused to apologise over sexual harassment claims, saying it would be an admission of guilt.The peer had his membership temporarily suspended after he refused to apologise over sexual harassment claims, saying it would be an admission of guilt.
A woman who says she was harassed by him has refused to rule out taking legal action against him.A woman who says she was harassed by him has refused to rule out taking legal action against him.
And the BBC understands Lord Rennard is taking legal advice about whether the party has broken its own rules.And the BBC understands Lord Rennard is taking legal advice about whether the party has broken its own rules.
The Lib Dems suspended the peer from the party for 14 weeks while it investigates whether he has brought it into disrepute by refusing to apologise for causing distress to a number of women.The Lib Dems suspended the peer from the party for 14 weeks while it investigates whether he has brought it into disrepute by refusing to apologise for causing distress to a number of women.
The BBC News Channel's Chief Political Correspondent Norman Smith said Lord Rennard is looking at whether the party followed "due process" in its handling of his case and could make a decision by the end of the day. The BBC News channel's chief political correspondent Norman Smith said Lord Rennard is looking at whether the party followed "due process" in its handling of his case and could make a decision by the end of the day.
It increasingly looked like the saga could be "heading for the courts", he added, with the party questioning the peer's grounds for legal action.It increasingly looked like the saga could be "heading for the courts", he added, with the party questioning the peer's grounds for legal action.
'Listened to''Listened to'
Lord Rennard of Wavertree resigned the party whip last year amid claims that he had made unwanted sexual advances to several women and touched them inappropriately.Lord Rennard of Wavertree resigned the party whip last year amid claims that he had made unwanted sexual advances to several women and touched them inappropriately.
The party's internal investigation, led by senior barrister Alistair Webster QC, concluded the claims could not be proved beyond reasonable doubt.The party's internal investigation, led by senior barrister Alistair Webster QC, concluded the claims could not be proved beyond reasonable doubt.
But it also said the evidence of the four women who lodged complaints was "broadly credible" and urged the peer to apologise.But it also said the evidence of the four women who lodged complaints was "broadly credible" and urged the peer to apologise.
Lord Rennard said he felt "regret" if he had unintentionally "hurt" any women but would not apologise for something he "had not done".Lord Rennard said he felt "regret" if he had unintentionally "hurt" any women but would not apologise for something he "had not done".
In a 2,600 word statement, he said he had suffered from "severe stress, anxiety and depression" as a result of the allegations.In a 2,600 word statement, he said he had suffered from "severe stress, anxiety and depression" as a result of the allegations.
Bridget Harris, one of those who made a complaint against Lord Rennard, told BBC Radio 4's The World Tonight programme that "of course" she would not rule out future legal action against the peer.Bridget Harris, one of those who made a complaint against Lord Rennard, told BBC Radio 4's The World Tonight programme that "of course" she would not rule out future legal action against the peer.
"We're taking the process one step at a time," the former aide to Nick Clegg, who has since quit the party, said. "In terms of civil action, how can I possibly say... what I would or wouldn't do, depending on the circumstances," the former aide to Nick Clegg said.
"In terms of civil action, how can I possibly say that I, what I would or wouldn't do, depending on the circumstances." She continued: "What I'm really interested in is getting back to the core point, which is... that the party has recognised that, as women, and the complaints that we've made, we've been listened to.
She continued: "What I'm really interested in is getting back to the core point, which is: I'm very glad now that the party has recognised that, as women, and the complaints that we've made, we've been listened to.
"They've been acknowledged and the party leadership has been prepared to, essentially, back our position, which is that we are owed an apology and it isn't tenable for Lord Rennard to remain a member of the Lib Dems for as long as these allegations and this cloud hangs over him.""They've been acknowledged and the party leadership has been prepared to, essentially, back our position, which is that we are owed an apology and it isn't tenable for Lord Rennard to remain a member of the Lib Dems for as long as these allegations and this cloud hangs over him."
But speaking on BBC Newsnight, Lord Greaves said the party had divided into different factions that were now "chucking missiles at each other". 'Betrayal'
If the issues were not solved, he said, "it is going to produce faultlines and schisms in the party which will last for years". The party's handling of the issue has been widely criticised and former MP David Howarth questioned the basis for disciplinary action against Lord Rennard, saying Mr Webster's suggestion that he apologise was a "recommendation not an order".
And MEP Chris Davies, who has backed Lord Rennard, tweeted: "I hear that the Lib Dem leadership has rejected mediation in the Rennard case. Although he believed the peer should apologise, Mr Howarth said he thought Lord Rennard was being punished for "defying his leader".
"Is this true? If so, what are these people doing?" "Are we in a political party any more, or are we in a fan club?" he wrote on the Lib Dem Voice website, a forum for party activists.
Although Lord Rennard has been suspended by the Liberal Democrats, he can still attend Parliament and vote in Lords debates as an independent peer. "To threaten to throw Chris Rennard out of the party for refusing to do what the leader demands is itself a betrayal of what the party stands for."
Although Lord Rennard has been suspended by the Liberal Democrats, he can still attend parliament and vote in Lords debates as an independent peer.