Clegg: Peer was confronted

Sexual harassment claims ‘not ignored’ by party

NICK Clegg has admitted his office had confronted the peer at the centre of sexual harassment allegations five years ago – but denied claims of a cover-up.

Amid mounting speculation about how much the LibDem leader knew about the allegations surrounding the party’s former chief executive, Lord Rennard, Mr Clegg appeared on television last night to make a dramatic statement.

Appearing emotional, he said he was outraged at suggestions he had turned a blind eye to concerns about the peer’s behaviour. However, he admitted his then chief of staff, Danny Alexander, had challenged Lord Rennard in 2008 after “indirect” concerns emerged.

Mr Clegg added: “I will not stand by and allow my party to be subject to a show trial of innuendo, half-truths and slurs.”

The LibDem leader also confirmed he would appoint an independent figure to lead an investigation into how the party treats such complaints.

A second investigation – specifically into the allegations against Lord Rennard – will still be run by the party.

Several women have now complained the peer touched them inappropriately after a report broadcast by Channel 4 News last week.

Lord Rennard denies the allegations, which he describes as a total distortion of his character.

NICK Clegg last night admitted his office confronted the peer at the centre of sexual harassment allegations five years ago – but denied claims of a cover-up.

After days in which the Liberal Democrats insisted their leader knew nothing of the accusations, he braved the television cameras to make a dramatic statement “clarifying” his position.

Clearly emotional, he said he was “outraged” at suggestions that he would turn a blind eye if specific allegations against Lord Rennard had been put to him.

But he admitted his then chief of staff, Danny Alexander, had challenged the peer and former party chief executive in 2008 after “indirect” concerns emerged.

Mr Clegg said: “I will not stand by and allow my party to be subject to a show trial of innuendo, half-truths and slurs.”

But he added he would appoint an independent figure to lead an inquiry into how the party treats such complaints. A second investigation – into the actual claims against Lord Rennard – will be run by the party.

Both Mr Clegg and Mr Alexander claim they did not know about specific allegations against Lord Rennard until last week.

Mr Alexander said: “When indirect and anonymous concerns about Chris Rennard’s conduct came to the attention of Nick Clegg’s office, in late 2008, we acted immediately. As Nick’s Chief of Staff, I put these concerns to Chris Rennard in strong terms and warned him that any such behaviour was wholly unacceptable.

“Chris Rennard categorically denied he had behaved inappropriately as he continues to do. As these concerns were received indirectly and anonymously, as those involved understandably wanted to maintain privacy, there was a limit to how we could take this matter forward.

I will not stand by and allow my party to be subject to a show trial of innuendo, half-truths and slurs

“The party has rightly set up inquiries into these matters and I will participate fully in those processes.”

Labour said that the statement raised more questions than answers and called for an independent investigation.

The admission that concerns about Lord Rennard reached the leader’s office in 2008 will increase pressure on LibDem senior figures to admit what they knew and when.

Last night’s statement came hours after LibDem Business Secretary Vince Cable and Home Office minister Jeremy Browne insisted Mr Clegg had been unaware of the accusations.

Aides to Mr Clegg also said the Deputy Prime Minister “categorically did not know” about claims that Lord Rennard b e haved inappropriately towards a number of women.

It followed reports that one of the women emailed a friend in 2009 to say she was “very sad” that Mr Clegg knew of the claims and would not act.

Lord Rennard – a key party strategist and adviser to a succession of LibDem leaders before standing down in 2009 – has said he was deeply shocked by the allegations, which he strongly disputed.

Several women have now complained that the peer touched them inappropriately.

One, Alison Smith, a lecturer at Oxford University, said she had spoken to both the then LibDem chief whip Paul Burstow and the party’s spokeswoman for women and equality, Jo Swinson, about her claims, but no action was taken.

In a statement at the weekend, Ms Swinson – now equalities minister – said her focus had been “to protect the women who confided in me”.

“All the time I was careful to respect their wish for privacy,” she said. She added: “I took action and ensured that others took action. I told the women who had confided in me what I had done to try to put a stop to any inappropriate behaviour.”