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-england-hampshire-25880287
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Mike Hancock case: Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg defends actions | Mike Hancock case: Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg defends actions |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Nick Clegg has insisted he "acted immediately" after learning of "appalling" sexual allegations against backbench MP Mike Hancock. | Nick Clegg has insisted he "acted immediately" after learning of "appalling" sexual allegations against backbench MP Mike Hancock. |
| The Liberal Democrat leader made the comment amid claims nothing was done for three years after the party was notified of the complaints. | The Liberal Democrat leader made the comment amid claims nothing was done for three years after the party was notified of the complaints. |
| Mr Hancock carried out his first official business earlier since being suspended from the party on Wednesday. | Mr Hancock carried out his first official business earlier since being suspended from the party on Wednesday. |
| It followed the leaking of a QC's report. | It followed the leaking of a QC's report. |
| Nigel Pascoe's report into claims of sexual misconduct towards a female constituent with mental health issues had not been officially published, but redacted copies were leaked. | Nigel Pascoe's report into claims of sexual misconduct towards a female constituent with mental health issues had not been officially published, but redacted copies were leaked. |
| In the report, Mr Pascoe said the woman deserved "compassion and respect" and the account she gave was "credible". | |
| Lawyers acting for the alleged sexual assault victim of the Portsmouth South MP are asking the High Court to force the full disclosure of the report. | |
| Mr Hancock denies the allegations. | |
| He had already resigned the parliamentary party whip last year but was still sitting as a Lib Dem local councillor. | He had already resigned the parliamentary party whip last year but was still sitting as a Lib Dem local councillor. |
| 'Seriousness of allegations' | 'Seriousness of allegations' |
| Mr Clegg, who is also facing criticism over the handling of separate sexual harassment allegations against Lord Rennard, said he had acted last year as soon as he heard that a civil case was being brought against his MP. | Mr Clegg, who is also facing criticism over the handling of separate sexual harassment allegations against Lord Rennard, said he had acted last year as soon as he heard that a civil case was being brought against his MP. |
| "When I was given the specific allegations at the beginning of last year I immediately asked our chief whip to investigate," he said. | "When I was given the specific allegations at the beginning of last year I immediately asked our chief whip to investigate," he said. |
| "As a result Mike Hancock ceased to be a Lib Dem MP. | "As a result Mike Hancock ceased to be a Lib Dem MP. |
| "When those allegations were then supported by the QC's report that has come to light this week again we acted immediately and Mike Hancock has been suspended from the Lib Dems altogether." | "When those allegations were then supported by the QC's report that has come to light this week again we acted immediately and Mike Hancock has been suspended from the Lib Dems altogether." |
| The Deputy Prime Minister added: "The first time I was given specific allegations was when there was a notification of legal proceedings, which I was informed of at the beginning of last year. | The Deputy Prime Minister added: "The first time I was given specific allegations was when there was a notification of legal proceedings, which I was informed of at the beginning of last year. |
| "You can only react to things that are put to you. That is when I acted. I acted immediately because I was as appalled as anyone by the seriousness of these allegations." | "You can only react to things that are put to you. That is when I acted. I acted immediately because I was as appalled as anyone by the seriousness of these allegations." |
| Mr Hancock left Portsmouth Guildhall after chairing a brief meeting of the council's planning committee earlier. | |
| In the agenda he was still listed as a Liberal Democrat. | |
| Following the meeting, he said he had no further comment to make on the week's developments. |