This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25838116

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Lord Rennard row: Liberal Democrat peers to meet Lord Rennard row: Liberal Democrat peers to meet
(about 3 hours later)
Liberal Democrat peers are to meet for the first time since the row over Lord Rennard's future with the party began.Liberal Democrat peers are to meet for the first time since the row over Lord Rennard's future with the party began.
Lord Rennard had his party membership temporarily suspended after he refused to apologise over claims he sexually harassed female party members.Lord Rennard had his party membership temporarily suspended after he refused to apologise over claims he sexually harassed female party members.
The peer, who has denied the claims, has threatened to take legal action over his suspension.The peer, who has denied the claims, has threatened to take legal action over his suspension.
It comes as the group Women Liberal Democrats urged Nick Clegg to appoint a mediator to help resolve the row. It comes as the Women Liberal Democrats group urged Nick Clegg to appoint a mediator to help resolve the row.
Lord Rennard has been suspended for 14 weeks while the Lib Dems investigate whether he has brought the party into disrepute by refusing to apologise for causing distress to a number of women.Lord Rennard has been suspended for 14 weeks while the Lib Dems investigate whether he has brought the party into disrepute by refusing to apologise for causing distress to a number of women.
He is expected to seek a court order within days to try to halt disciplinary proceedings against him. He insists he has done nothing wrong and is expected to seek a court order within days to try to halt disciplinary proceedings against him.
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 the allegations he made unwanted sexual advances to several activists and touched them inappropriately. Some senior peers, including former leader Lord Steel, have called for Lord Rennard to be re-instated as a first step to resolving the dispute.
Alison Smith, one of the women who has accused the peer of making unwanted sexual advances and touching them inappropriately, said she was "open" to some form of mediation but only if the Lib Dem peer was willing to confront his actions.
'Enough is enough'
"Chris Rennard would need to come to the table within an open mind and, at the moment, he does not seem to be in that mindset," the former activist, who is now a lecturer at Oxford University, told BBC Radio 4's Today.
She suggested the peer needed to understand his actions were an abuse of power and "why it matters that he (Lord Rennard) had control over women's careers when he was making advances on people".
She added: "We would not have to start with an apology but what is at stake here for me is the principle of what is acceptable behaviour in the workplace."
The reaction of some Lib Dems, she suggested, seemed to be "just a hand down the back of the dress, what are the girlies worrying about".
"The issue is, of course, women in the 21st century are saying enough is enough and I think that is one of the reasons why this story has resonated so much."
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 the allegations.
The party's original 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 original 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.
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 women who lodged complaints was "broadly credible" and urged the peer to apologise.
'Right judgement'
Party leader Mr Clegg has said it was "the right judgement" for him to demand an apology from Lord Rennard.Party leader Mr Clegg has said it was "the right judgement" for him to demand an apology from Lord Rennard.
The peer has said he feels "regret" if he unintentionally "hurt" any women but added that he would not apologise for something he "had not done". Lord Rennard has expressed concerns that an apology would be an admission of guilt and make him liable to potential legal proceedings by his accusers.
He has also expressed concerns that an apology would be an admission of guilt and make him liable to potential legal proceedings by his accusers.
One of the women, Bridget Harris, has said she would not rule out future legal action against the peer but any such step would "depend on the circumstances".
Like the party's Federal Executive Committee, the Women Liberal Democrats have called for external mediators to be brought in.
In a further development, the party's president Tim Farron has denied claims by allies of Lord Rennard that he had attempted to block mediation.In a further development, the party's president Tim Farron has denied claims by allies of Lord Rennard that he had attempted to block mediation.
Mr Farron said talks were continuing between senior figures in the party and in the Lords and said it was important that the peer complied with the wishes of the party and its leader Mr Clegg.Mr Farron said talks were continuing between senior figures in the party and in the Lords and said it was important that the peer complied with the wishes of the party and its leader Mr Clegg.
Lib Dem sources told the BBC that legal action could lead "to a blood bath, the like of which the party has not seen before".Lib Dem sources told the BBC that legal action could lead "to a blood bath, the like of which the party has not seen before".