Liberal Democrat Peer Lord Rennard Suspended Amid New Harassment Probe
The Liberal Democrats have suspended Lord Rennard from the party and launched a new investigation into sexual harassment allegations, marking a significant development in a long-running controversy. The party announced the suspension after receiving legal advice that a previous 2023 probe into accusations made by four women was "flawed in several respects". This move comes as Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey has publicly stated his belief that Lord Rennard should not remain a member of the House of Lords, advocating for reforms to make it easier to expel peers for serious misconduct.
Background of the Allegations and Past Investigations
Lord Rennard, a former chief executive of the Liberal Democrats, has faced multiple investigations over the years. In 2013, the Metropolitan Police Service conducted a thorough inquiry into the allegations, interviewing all parties involved and deciding not to send a file to the Crown Prosecution Service, taking no further action. Following this, an independent lawyer, Alistair Webster KC, was commissioned to review the case. His report, submitted in December 2013, concluded that there was insufficient evidence to hold a disciplinary hearing, with a less than 50% chance of proving the case beyond reasonable doubt. However, Webster noted in his findings that there was "broadly credible" evidence of behaviour that violated the personal space and autonomy of the complainants.
Subsequently, another independent lawyer investigated whether any grounds for disciplinary action existed, concluding in August 2014 that there were none, at which point all disciplinary action against Lord Rennard ended. Despite these outcomes, the party has now revisited the matter, citing flaws in the earlier processes.
Reactions from the Complainants and Party Statements
Three of the women involved in the original claims—Alison Smith, Bridget Harris, and Alison Goldsworthy—issued a joint statement expressing cautious optimism about the new investigation. They stated, "We decided to speak out in 2013 so that future generations of women could participate in politics safely. We did not expect a fair investigation to take so long and hope that the next steps will finally put the matter to rest." They described the latest move by the Liberal Democrats as "the first signs of change", highlighting the prolonged nature of the case and their hopes for resolution.
A spokeswoman for the Liberal Democrats confirmed the suspension, saying, "Rennard has had the Liberal Democrat whip in the House of Lords and his party membership suspended, and the party is conducting a new investigation into these allegations." She emphasised that the party has acted on legal advice regarding the deficiencies of the 2023 investigation, underscoring a commitment to addressing the issue more effectively this time.
Lord Rennard's Response and Ongoing Implications
In response to the suspension, Lord Rennard pointed to the previous investigations that cleared him of wrongdoing. He stated, "All allegations made against me were investigated by the Metropolitan Police Service in 2013 in what was acknowledged by one of the complainants to be a 'thorough and professional investigation'. After interviewing all concerned and considering any evidence they decided not to send a file to the Crown Prosecution Service and took no further action." He also referenced the Webster report, noting that it did not include the word "credible" and was accepted by the party in January 2014, along with the subsequent investigation that found no grounds for action.
This development raises broader questions about accountability and conduct within political parties, particularly in the House of Lords. Sir Ed Davey's stance reflects a growing push for stricter measures against misconduct among peers, potentially influencing future parliamentary reforms. The new investigation by the Liberal Democrats aims to reassess the allegations with a more rigorous approach, seeking to provide closure for all parties involved and uphold standards of behaviour in public life.
