Rennie declines to condemn Lord Steel

Willie Rennie repeatedly declined to condemn former Lib Dem peer Lord Steel for failing to act when confronted by claims that Cyril Smith was a child abuser.

The Scottish Lib Dem leader also declined to apologise for a report by his party which last year found there were no grounds for action against Lord Steel.

When challenged by journalists at Holyrood, Mr Rennie praised Lord Steel whose career ended this week after the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) condemned him for failing to alert the authorities about the late Rochdale MP.

Lord Steel announced his resignation from the Lib Dems and withdrew from public life in the House of Lords following the publication of the ICSA report.

Mr Rennie resisted criticising Lord Steel despite being given several opportunities to do so, confining himself to saying that peer’s decision to stand down was the “right” one.

The findings of the ICSA report contrasted with an internal Lib Dem investigation which said there were “no grounds for action” against Lord Steel.

When asked about his handling of the Lord Steel controversy, Mr Rennie said: “David has a very long career in politics where he’s contributed in terms of antiapartheid, in terms of women’s rights and abortion, and that needs to be reflected.

“Of course he’s resigned from the party and withdrawn from public life because of the inquiry’s conclusion and I think that was the right decision.”

“David has recognised this very powerful report. He’s understood that victims have felt let down.

“He’s understood the turmoil it has caused and therefore he has withdrawn from public life.”

Willie Rennie