Lord Rennard row: Peer set to resume seat in Lords

[T_i_B]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-25804724

Lib Dem peer Lord Rennard is set to rejoin the Lords despite party leader Nick Clegg's call for him to apologise over sexual harassment claims first.

Lord Rennard insists he has not done anything wrong and is threatening to take legal action against the party.

One Lib Dem who made claims against him has said she will quit if he is allowed to take his seat without apologising. Mr Clegg said an inquiry found Lord Rennard had caused "distress" and saying sorry was "basic decency". If the peer does not apologise, Lord Rennard faces the threat of being suspended after a meeting of the Lib Dem Regional Parties Committee.

Lord Rennard resigned the party whip last year amid claims he made unwanted sexual advances to several women and touched them inappropriately. The allegations were investigated by senior barrister Alistair Webster QC, who concluded they could not be proved beyond reasonable doubt.

[dipsydoodle]

1. That is a complete fucking joke.

Hope he lands up in court where he belongs.

[T_i_B]

2. I can see problems here

...The first is that it's quite clear that any apology Lord Rennard makes now will not be sincere.

The second is that if he's already resigned the Lib Dem whip as the article says, then what's the point anyway? I must be missing something here with all this.

[dipsydoodle]

3. Lord Rennard row: Peer suspended after apology row

Lib Dem peer Lord Rennard has been suspended from the party after declining to apologise over sexual harassment claims.

Lord Rennard insists he has not done anything wrong and wanted to resume his seat in the House of Lords.

But an internal party committee has suspended his membership pending disciplinary proceedings.

The party has been convulsed by a deepening row over the issue, with leader Nick Clegg urged to take action.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-25804724

[T_i_B]

4. It's all very messy

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25820928

Rightly or wrongly, this case could have ramifications for all political parties who purge members deemed to have brought the party into disrepute.