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Mike Hancock should quit Lib Dems over sexual misconduct, says Clegg Mike Hancock should quit Lib Dems over sexual misconduct, says Clegg
(35 minutes later)
Mike Hancock has no future in the Liberal Democrats and should resign after apologising for making inappropriate sexual advances towards a female constituent, Nick Clegg has said.Mike Hancock has no future in the Liberal Democrats and should resign after apologising for making inappropriate sexual advances towards a female constituent, Nick Clegg has said.
The deputy prime minister is under pressure over his handling of the situation after the woman accused him of ignoring her complaints about Hancock for four years. It follows other claims that the Lib Dems have failed to investigate allegations of misconduct, including four women accusing Lord Rennard of inappropriately touching them, which he denies, and a string of child abuse claims against the late Cyril Smith MP.The deputy prime minister is under pressure over his handling of the situation after the woman accused him of ignoring her complaints about Hancock for four years. It follows other claims that the Lib Dems have failed to investigate allegations of misconduct, including four women accusing Lord Rennard of inappropriately touching them, which he denies, and a string of child abuse claims against the late Cyril Smith MP.
Speaking on his weekly radio phone-in show, Call Clegg, on LBC 97.3, Clegg said Hancock's behaviour was "totally and utterly out of order" and he is facing disciplinary proceedings. Speaking on his weekly radio phone-in show, Call Clegg, on LBC 97.3, Clegg said Hancock's behaviour was "totally and utterly out of order" and that he was facing disciplinary proceedings.
"He's caused huge, huge distress. He has no future in the party, he should resign.""He's caused huge, huge distress. He has no future in the party, he should resign."
However, Clegg defended his own conduct, saying a letter sent by the complainant never reached him, he did not know about her telephone call to his office and he acted "reasonably promptly" to suspend the MP when he found out that the woman had launched legal action.However, Clegg defended his own conduct, saying a letter sent by the complainant never reached him, he did not know about her telephone call to his office and he acted "reasonably promptly" to suspend the MP when he found out that the woman had launched legal action.
"Annie" – not her real name – told the Guardian that the Lib Dem leader "turned a blind eye" after she called his office asking the party to investigate her claims that Hancock had assaulted and seduced her. She claims that Hancock's advances did not stop after she told him she had mental health problems, was self-harming and had been sexually assaulted as a child."Annie" – not her real name – told the Guardian that the Lib Dem leader "turned a blind eye" after she called his office asking the party to investigate her claims that Hancock had assaulted and seduced her. She claims that Hancock's advances did not stop after she told him she had mental health problems, was self-harming and had been sexually assaulted as a child.
Hancock has previously denied claims that he conducted an inappropriate sexual relationship with the vulnerable constituent, but on Wednesday was forced to admit that he had made her feel degraded and uncomfortable. Hancock has previously denied claims that he conducted an inappropriate sexual relationship with the vulnerable constituent, but on Wednesday was forced to admit that he had made her feel "degraded" and "uncomfortable".
In a statement released as part of a high court settlement, the MP for Portsmouth South, said he had crossed the line when he had gone to the woman's home on several occasions and said his conduct was inappropriate and unprofessional and apologised unreservedly for any distress. In a statement released as part of a high court settlement, the MP for Portsmouth South, said he had "crossed the line" when he had gone to the woman's home on several occasions and that his conduct was inappropriate and unprofessional. He apologised unreservedly for any distress.
It follows a five-year struggle by Annie to obtain an apology in the face of persistent denials of misconduct by the 68-year-old MP. She accused him of sexually harassing her after she approached him for help with noisy neighbours.It follows a five-year struggle by Annie to obtain an apology in the face of persistent denials of misconduct by the 68-year-old MP. She accused him of sexually harassing her after she approached him for help with noisy neighbours.
She told the Guardian hours after the apology was issued: "Clegg has been negligent, he has put me through hell. I complained to Clegg's office in March 2011, but it has taken years to deal with Hancock. There is supposed to be a system in place in the party to deal with MPs but they don't seem to use it," she said. She told the Guardian hours after the apology was issued: "Clegg has been negligent, he has put me through hell. I complained to Clegg's office in March 2011, but it has taken four years to deal with Hancock. There is supposed to be a system in place in the party to deal with MPs but they don't seem to use it," she said.
Annie's claim was prolonged, she said, because there is no proper system to discipline MPs accused of sexually inappropriate behaviour.Annie's claim was prolonged, she said, because there is no proper system to discipline MPs accused of sexually inappropriate behaviour.
The Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards (OPCS) has the means to examine allegations of financial wrongdoing, but cannot investigate claims that an MP has abused their position in other ways.The Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards (OPCS) has the means to examine allegations of financial wrongdoing, but cannot investigate claims that an MP has abused their position in other ways.
"There should be a new rule, to stop the abuse of constituents. Closure takes more than an apology. I feel like I've been abandoned by all of the agencies – the police, the social services and local councillors and even the parliamentary authorities," she said."There should be a new rule, to stop the abuse of constituents. Closure takes more than an apology. I feel like I've been abandoned by all of the agencies – the police, the social services and local councillors and even the parliamentary authorities," she said.
The end of the case will force the Lib Dems to consider whether to readmit Hancock to the party. The party's whip was suspended earlier this year after Annie issued a writ.The end of the case will force the Lib Dems to consider whether to readmit Hancock to the party. The party's whip was suspended earlier this year after Annie issued a writ.
The statement read out in the high court said that the parties have confidentially settled a claim for damages, just days before the case was due to be heard. The statement read out in the high court said that the parties had confidentially settled a claim for damages, just days before the case was due to be heard.
Hancock's apology does not admit sexually assaulting Annie, as she has previously claimed, but does admit serious misconduct.Hancock's apology does not admit sexually assaulting Annie, as she has previously claimed, but does admit serious misconduct.
"Over several months I came to your home on several occasions, sometimes unannounced, and conducted a friendship with you that was inappropriate and unprofessional. I understand that you felt degraded. I did not treat you with sufficient respect. I made you feel deeply uncomfortable and discriminated against," he said."Over several months I came to your home on several occasions, sometimes unannounced, and conducted a friendship with you that was inappropriate and unprofessional. I understand that you felt degraded. I did not treat you with sufficient respect. I made you feel deeply uncomfortable and discriminated against," he said.
"As a political representative, there is a significant power differential with any constituent seeking help and particularly with your vulnerablity, of which I was aware. "As a political representative, there is a significant power differential with any constituent seeking help and particularly with your vulnerability, of which I was aware.
"You had a right to trust me. Everyone should feel safe and should be able to have confidence in their political representatives and I am sorry I made you feel otherwise," he added. "You had a right to trust me. Everyone should feel safe and should be able to have confidence in their political representatives and I am sorry I made you feel otherwise."
Hancock goes on to distance himself from comments from Lib Dem councillors which accused Annie of suing the MP with the motivation of money. Hancock goes on to distance himself from comments from Lib Dem councillors, which accused Annie of suing the MP with the motivation of money.
"I accept that you did not bring the claim for financial gain and any statements to the contrary were wrong," it reads."I accept that you did not bring the claim for financial gain and any statements to the contrary were wrong," it reads.
Harriet Wistrich, solicitor for Annie, who has a son, said her client had attempted to complain through the police and the OPCS, as well as the Lib Dems and Portsmouth city council, but has been "blocked from achieving a remedy at each stage". Harriet Wistrich, solicitor for Annie, who has a son, said her client had attempted to complain through the police and the OPCS, as well as the Lib Dems and Portsmouth city council, but had been "blocked from achieving a remedy at each stage".
The case concerned a seven-month period from November 2009 after the alleged victim approached Hancock for help. The woman, who was then 35, claimed the MP placed his hand on her breast and exposed himself and kissed her on many occasions without consent.The case concerned a seven-month period from November 2009 after the alleged victim approached Hancock for help. The woman, who was then 35, claimed the MP placed his hand on her breast and exposed himself and kissed her on many occasions without consent.
Hancock also took her and her son to parliament for dinner, she said, bought her a teddy bear that he named Mike and sent her dozens of texts which said: "Please give me a chance you never know my princess xxx"; "You are special and sexy to me xxx"; and "Just got here and in bed alone my love xxx." Hancock also took her and her son to parliament for dinner, she said, bought her a teddy bear that he named Mike and sent her dozens of texts, which said: "Please give me a chance you never know my princess xxx"; "You are special and sexy to me xxx"; and "Just got here and in bed alone my love xxx."
Hancock remains a patient in the Priory hospital in Southampton, the statement said, but a psychiatric report was obtained by the court confirming that he had full capacity to make the statement.Hancock remains a patient in the Priory hospital in Southampton, the statement said, but a psychiatric report was obtained by the court confirming that he had full capacity to make the statement.
According to paragraph 16 of the MPs' code of conduct, members should never undertake any action that would cause significant damage to the reputation and integrity of the House of Commons. But under rule 17, it says that "the commissioner [for standards] may not investigate a specific matter under paragraph 16 which relates only to the conduct of a member in their private and personal lives".According to paragraph 16 of the MPs' code of conduct, members should never undertake any action that would cause significant damage to the reputation and integrity of the House of Commons. But under rule 17, it says that "the commissioner [for standards] may not investigate a specific matter under paragraph 16 which relates only to the conduct of a member in their private and personal lives".