Lord Rennard. Photograph by Alex Folkes/Fishnik Photography
Liberal Democrat peer Lord Rennard is set to defy party leader Nick Clegg and resume his seat in the Lords without apologising over claims of sexual harassment.
An inquiry found that Rennard had caused “distress” and Clegg has said that apologising was “basic decency”, with one Lib Dem who made claims against Rennard threatening to quit if he does not apologise for his actions. Bridget Harris, another party activist who made allegations has already resigned over the issue, describing it as an “absolute mess”. However, Rennard maintains he has done nothing wrong and is threatening legal action against the party over the claims.
If the peer does not apologise, he may face the possibility of being suspended and the whip withdrawn after a meeting of the Lib Dem Regional Parties Committee if they find that he brought the party into disrepute.
Rennard resigned from the Lib Dems last year amid claims that he touched a number of women inappropriately, but an investigation concluded that whilst the evidence was broadly credible, it could not be proved beyond reasonable doubt, but the peer should still apologise for the distress caused. However, Rennard has said that he cannot apologise because that would be an admission of guilt and will consider legal action if the whip is not reinstated later today.
