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-27920125
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Nick Clegg says Mike Hancock MP will be expelled from party | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has said MP Mike Hancock will be expelled from the party. | |
On Wednesday, the Portsmouth South MP made a public apology over an "inappropriate and unprofessional friendship" with a female constituent. | |
Mr Clegg said Mr Hancock had "no future" in the party. | Mr Clegg said Mr Hancock had "no future" in the party. |
He said he did not see letters the woman sent to his office in 2011 but suspended the MP when he was told of the allegations in 2013. | He said he did not see letters the woman sent to his office in 2011 but suspended the MP when he was told of the allegations in 2013. |
When asked by the BBC if Mr Hancock would be expelled for the party, Mr Clegg said: "Absolutely." | |
He added: "I think it's very, very, very clear to me that he has no future as a member of the Liberal Democrats either, because he's apologised for causing immense distress to a vulnerable and innocent constituent of his." | |
Speaking on LBC earlier, Mr Clegg described Mr Hancock's behaviour as "totally and utterly out of order". | |
Mr Clegg said he was "frustrated" a letter the constituent had sent to his office had "simply not reached him". | Mr Clegg said he was "frustrated" a letter the constituent had sent to his office had "simply not reached him". |
"I can only react to things that are put before me and when, in early 2013, specific allegations were brought to my attention, because the court proceedings were then under way, I acted very quickly, got it looked into and within a matter of weeks Mike Hancock was no longer an MP for the Liberal Democrats and, as you know, subsequently, was suspended," he said. | |
Civil action against Mr Hancock alleging he sexually assaulted a female constituent was dropped earlier this month. | Civil action against Mr Hancock alleging he sexually assaulted a female constituent was dropped earlier this month. |
A statement released on Wednesday said both parties had agreed a confidential settlement. | A statement released on Wednesday said both parties had agreed a confidential settlement. |
Mr Hancock, who is currently an in-patient at the Priory Hospital, released the statement as part of the agreement. | Mr Hancock, who is currently an in-patient at the Priory Hospital, released the statement as part of the agreement. |
In the 400-word apology, he said: "In October 2009, you first came to me as a constituent to seek my assistance as your MP and councillor. | |
"Subsequently, and 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 made you feel deeply uncomfortable and discriminated against and I crossed the line." | "I made you feel deeply uncomfortable and discriminated against and I crossed the line." |
'Inappropriate and unprofessional' | 'Inappropriate and unprofessional' |
Following the statement, the chairman of Portsmouth Liberal Democrats Simon Dodd, said Mr Hancock would now be subject to an internal disciplinary hearing. | Following the statement, the chairman of Portsmouth Liberal Democrats Simon Dodd, said Mr Hancock would now be subject to an internal disciplinary hearing. |
"Mike Hancock has admitted behaving in an unprofessional way that caused harm and distress to a constituent and we are very disappointed that his apology was not made at a much earlier stage," he said. | "Mike Hancock has admitted behaving in an unprofessional way that caused harm and distress to a constituent and we are very disappointed that his apology was not made at a much earlier stage," he said. |
The MP for Portsmouth South had denied claims of sexual harassment, but was suspended from the Lib Dems after being found guilty of breaching standards codes. | The MP for Portsmouth South had denied claims of sexual harassment, but was suspended from the Lib Dems after being found guilty of breaching standards codes. |
Mr Hancock, who has been an MP in the city since 1984, was arrested in 2010 after a complaint was made about his behaviour towards a vulnerable constituent who had a history of mental health problems. | Mr Hancock, who has been an MP in the city since 1984, was arrested in 2010 after a complaint was made about his behaviour towards a vulnerable constituent who had a history of mental health problems. |
Hampshire Constabulary decided not to press charges following an investigation. | Hampshire Constabulary decided not to press charges following an investigation. |
Mr Hancock resigned from the cabinet of Portsmouth City Council in February and lost his Fratton seat on the council in the elections in May. | Mr Hancock resigned from the cabinet of Portsmouth City Council in February and lost his Fratton seat on the council in the elections in May. |
Previous version
1
Next version