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Rennard to take legal action over Lib Dem suspension Rennard set to take legal action over Lib Dem suspension
(35 minutes later)
Lord Rennard is to seek a court injunction to lift his suspension by the Liberal Democrats as the dispute within the party deepens. Lord Rennard is to take legal action against the Lib Dems following claims he sexually harassed female members.
The peer had his membership temporarily suspended after he refused to apologise over sexual harassment claims. The peer had his party membership temporarily suspended after he refused to apologise over the claims.
But the peer will seek a court order within days to try and halt disciplinary proceedings against him. But he is expected to seek a court order within days to try and halt disciplinary proceedings against him as the row within the party intensifies.
It comes as one activist has called on arbitration service Acas to be brought in to mediate between the two sides. Lib Dem sources have warned of "a blood bath, the like of which the party has not seen before".
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 their former chief executive 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 believed the party had not followed "due process" in its handling of his case following allegations that he made unwanted sexual advances to several women activists and touched them inappropriately. The BBC understands Lord Rennard has instructed a senior QC to advise him on the lawfulness of the party's action in suspending him following allegations he made unwanted sexual advances to several activists and touched them inappropriately.
The BBC News channel's chief political correspondent Norman Smith said the peer believed the party had not followed "due process" in its handling of his case
Sources, he added, have warned that legal action could lead "to a blood bath, the like of which the party has not seen before".Sources, he added, have warned that legal action could lead "to a blood bath, the like of which the party has not seen before".
They suggest any court case would result in the disclosure of the original report into Lord Rennard's conduct and details about the complainants.They suggest any court case would result in the disclosure of the original report into Lord Rennard's conduct and details about the complainants.
'Listened to' The party's internal investigation, led by senior barrister Alistair Webster QC, concluded the claims against Lord Rennard by four women could not be proved beyond reasonable doubt.
The party's internal investigation, led by senior barrister Alistair Webster QC, concluded the claims against Lord Rennard could not be proved beyond reasonable doubt. But it also said the evidence of the 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 has 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". He has also expressed concerns that an apology would be admission of guilt and make him liable to potential legal proceedings by his accusers.
He has also expressed concerns that an apology would be admission of guilty and make him liable to legal action by his accusers. 'Principle'
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 the BBC she would not rule out future legal action against the peer but any such step would "depend on the circumstances".
"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. The party's handling of the issue has been widely criticised and former leader Lord Ashdown has acknowledged it had not been their "finest moment".
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." But he told the BBC News channel that party leader Nick Clegg had "stood up for a really important principle" in insisting women in the party were treated with respect.
'Betrayal'
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".
Although he believed the peer should apologise, Mr Howarth said he thought Lord Rennard was being punished for "defying his leader" and expelling him would be a "betrayal of the party's values".
Former leader Lord Ashdown acknowledged it had not been the party's "finest moment" but told the BBC News channel that Nick Clegg had "stood up for a really important principle" in insisting women in the party were treated with respect.
"I am a friend and admirer of Chris Rennard... but he is just wrong on this," he said, adding that it would be a "simple thing" for him to apologise."I am a friend and admirer of Chris Rennard... but he is just wrong on this," he said, adding that it would be a "simple thing" for him to apologise.
The latest development comes amid calls from a member of the party's Federal Executive Committee for external mediators, such as Acas, to be brought in.
'Media spectacle'
Candy Piercy said the party was now being "seriously damaged" and the disciplinary process should be suspended to allow "mediators time and flexibility to resolve this extremely damaging situation".
"Every hour that this media spectacle continues damages the hard work that Liberal Democrat campaign teams are doing across Britain," she said.
Sources close to Lord Rennard have accused party president Tim Farron of seeking to "sabotage" any process of mediation in order to undermine the peer's position.
Speaking on Monday, Mr Farron defended the party's actions in an e-mail to members, saying "everyone in the party has a responsibility to treat others with respect, and no length of service can or should lessen that obligation".
Although Lord Rennard has been suspended by the Liberal Democrats, he can still attend parliament and vote in Lords debates as an independent peer.Although Lord Rennard has been suspended by the Liberal Democrats, he can still attend parliament and vote in Lords debates as an independent peer.