Clegg holds firm in demand for apology from harassment row peer

Lawyers acting for the party’s ex-chief executive Lord Rennard have set a deadline of today for the Liberal Democrats to lift his suspension or face High Court action.

Lord Rennard was suspended on January 20 pending an investigation into whether he had brought the party into disrepute by failing to apologise to a number of women who made complaints against him. A QC’s inquiry into the allegations concluded that the women’s claims were credible but there was insufficient evidence to bring disciplinary charges, and suggested that the peer should apologise to them, prompting Mr Clegg to tell Lord Rennard: “No apology, no whip.”

The Lib Dem leader today told LBC radio: “What Lord Rennard’s lawyers want to do is up to them. My view hasn’t changed at all.

“Of course I would rather not these things end up in court. I am just responding to a suggestion made by Lord Rennard’s lawyers.

“All I’m saying is that none of that changes the fact that if 
you have a report, after a meticulous independent process, 
which says an apology is due 
because, intentionally or otherwise, distress was caused to 
these women, I don’t think it’s unreasonable for me as leader of 
the party to say that is what
should happen, and an apology should be issued in those 
terms.”

Lord Rennard’s spokesman said: “There will be no court action if the party simply follows its own rules, or if there is a realistic prospect of mediation succeeding.”