Sexism and sexual harassment must have no place in the Liberal Democrats, British deputy prime minister Nick Clegg said following a series of controversies that have engulfed the party.
During a speech to party delegates in Brighton, Mr Clegg repeatedly apologised for the failure to properly investigate allegations of improper conduct made against former party chief executive Chris Rennard.
The allegations against Lord Rennard – which he denies – are the subject of two party inquiries. Police have also spoken to some of the alleged victims, but have not yet launched an investigation.
Last night, British minister of state for equalities Jo Swinson told delegates she had been told of allegations of “unwanted sexual approaches”, but the women had not then wanted to be identified.
Warning to Rennard
She said she told Danny Alexander, now chief secretary to the treasury, who warned Lord Rennard that such conduct, if it existed, was “unacceptable and had to stop”.
Ms Swinson said if fresh allegations had reached her after the warning, she would have “insisted on further action”, but “I have not heard any account of inappropriate behaviour subsequently taken”.
Lord Rennard, the architect of many of the Liberal Democrats’ finest byelection victories, has strong support within the party, judging by the reaction of some delegates to Mr Clegg’s speech.
When Mr Clegg said “everyone had to remember that due process is for the accused as well as the accusers”, some delegates called out “Hear, hear” from the floor.
‘Women feel let down’
Mr Clegg, speaking on International Women’s Day, chose to open the Brighton rally by saying he wanted to “address head on” the Rennard allegations, adding that “the women involved feel let down”.
Two inquiries have been set up: one to investigate the allegations, and the second to investigate the Liberal Democrats’ rules, culture and handling of the allegations.
Clearly, the party failed to handle the complaints properly: “For a party that cherishes equality and women’s rights, we have no excuse for failing to live up to the highest standards in the treatment of women,” Mr Clegg said.
Meanwhile, senior party figures have denied they knew months before it became public that former cabinet minister Chris Huhne had illegally got his then wife, Vicky Pryce, to take speeding penalty points for him in 2003.
The claims were made in emails from Pryce that were shown to the jury, who convicted her on Thursday of perverting the course of justice.
