Lord Rennard has been suspended from the Liberal Democrats following the party’s launch of a renewed investigation into allegations of sexual harassment against female members.
A spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats stated that the party “has now received legal advice” indicating that a 2013 inquiry into the allegations “was flawed in several respects.”
Allegations of harassment against the peer surfaced in 2013. However, in 2014, a barrister appointed by the party to investigate concluded that, while the accounts of the four women were “broadly credible,” they could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
At the time, Lord Rennard issued an apology if he had “inadvertently encroached” upon “personal space.” The BBC has reached out to Lord Rennard for comment.
The Lib Dem spokesperson added that party leader Sir Ed Davey believes “Rennard should not be a member of the House of Lords” and “that it should be made easier for peers to be expelled from the Lords for serious misconduct.”
In 2013, Lord Rennard, a former party chief executive, faced accusations from four women who alleged he had abused his position over several years through inappropriate touching and propositioning.
The party’s internal inquiry concluded that no further action should be taken against Lord Rennard, but requested that he issue an apology. He initially declined but later expressed regret.
The Metropolitan Police also determined that there was “insufficient evidence” to prosecute the peer concerning the allegations of sexual touching.
Lord Rennard subsequently contested his suspension from the Lib Dems, arguing that it contravened party rules. The suspension was eventually lifted after disciplinary proceedings against him were dropped, and the party announced that this brought “the matter to a close.”