Baron Rennard

scorza · 20 Jan 2014 at 07:41

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

Can someone please explain this to me? Allegations of sexual harassment were made against Rennard, and internal Lib Dem investigation could not prove the allegations against reasonable doubt so he's innocent right? So why are the Lib Dem party leadership calling for him to apologise and for what precisely? Is it right that a man's political career may be over because of allegations made?

Cosimo · 20 Jan 2014 at 07:45

I read that title and thought this was a story about a randy old fox.

potatolord · 20 Jan 2014 at 07:57

It's because they want rid of him, regardless of evidence.

Once he apologises, he will have admitted he's guilty and they can then legitimately sack him...

Terminal_Boy · 20 Jan 2014 at 07:59

I see what you did there..

Personally, I reckon a political party's internal investigation is about as likely to reveal the truth as my next fart is likely to smell of summer meadows.

scorza · 20 Jan 2014 at 07:59

Cosimo said:
I read that title and thought this was a story about a randy old fox.

It is isn't it?

bitslice · 20 Jan 2014 at 09:04

Clegg is hoping his party will do his dirty work for him while he can look like a white knight saving hard done by women.

Quite why sexual harassment is a party matter I don't know, take it to a tribunal or something. Special rights are only for muslims.

Janesy B · 20 Jan 2014 at 09:43

Apologising is an admission of guilt. So it sounds like they want rid and this is the perfect chance.

Tuppy_Glossop · 20 Jan 2014 at 09:49

From your linked article: 'He said there was broadly credible evidence dating back several years of "behaviour which violated the personal space and autonomy of the complainants" and recommended the peer should apologise as a matter of "common manners".'

antijoke · 20 Jan 2014 at 09:49

Give him enough rope to hang himself.

foster grant · 20 Jan 2014 at 09:53

You could always get a Police Firearms Unit to shoot him claiming he was holding what appeared to be a Firearm and was clearly a danger to the public

platypus · 20 Jan 2014 at 09:53

They could strategically place women in skimpy outfits around the Houses of Parliament in places that coincide with his walk into the chambers, setup hidden cameras and see if he pinches any bottoms.

Meridian · 20 Jan 2014 at 22:17

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

Can someone please explain this to me? Allegations of sexual harassment were made against Rennard, and internal Lib Dem investigation could not prove the allegations against reasonable doubt so he's innocent right? So why are the Lib Dem party leadership calling for him to apologise and for what precisely? Is it right that a man's political career may be over because of allegations made?

Simple: everyone believes that he did what he is accused of, but no-one can prove it. For some reason the police are not getting involved. It's that old bug-bear of "justice" in a democratic society: the difference between "innocent in the eyes of the law" and "didn't actually do the deed they are accused of". The former does not mean the latter. What are you supposed to do when someone appears to be getting away with a crime, just because it's hard to prove it?

Of course there's a whole slew of politics in the mix as well: the Liberals believe in both equality for women (and protection from harassment), and also "innocent until proven guilty". That leaves then struggling to decide who to support. Unsurprisingly, it's mostly splitting along gender lines.

estebanrey · 20 Jan 2014 at 22:28

Meridian said:
For some reason the police are not getting involved.

Why would they? There is a big difference between a creepy middle aged man who gets a bit too close and says the odd fruity one liner and a rapist.

Meridian · 21 Jan 2014 at 07:06

estebanrey said:
Why would they? There is a big difference between a creepy middle aged man who gets a bit too close and says the odd fruity one liner and a rapist.

Groping people is still an offence, and that is what he is accused of as well. Although another part of the problem is how little information we actually have.

Hades · 21 Jan 2014 at 07:28

Meridian said:
Groping people is still an offence, and that is what he is accused of as well. Although another part of the problem is how little information we actually have.

Genuine question because I haven't really followed this story but have any of the women made a complaint to the police?

potatolord · 21 Jan 2014 at 07:45

Rennard has published a lengthy and detailed statement:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-25814565

"apart from anything else, any apology would leave me defenceless in a future civil action. I believed that this would follow and could then result in my being expelled from the party after all. "

Mr Jack · 21 Jan 2014 at 08:29

It's a total mess. Why the Liberals felt their internal proceedings should use a criminal standard of proof I'll never know.

Oh well, it's going to do a delightful amount of damage to the party in the process

scorza · 21 Jan 2014 at 08:35

Mr Jack said:
It's a total mess. Why the Liberals felt their internal proceedings should use a criminal standard of proof I'll never know.

They probably thought it'd stop spurious allegations ruining someone's political career, never knowing that doing so might be convenient.

aardvark · 21 Jan 2014 at 08:57

Meridian said:
Simple: everyone believes that he did what he is accused of, but no-one can prove it.

yep, thats pretty much it.
its been an open secret for years.

a1ex2001 · 21 Jan 2014 at 10:26

Mr Jack said:
It's a total mess. Why the Liberals felt their internal proceedings should use a criminal standard of proof I'll never know.

Oh well, it's going to do a delightful amount of damage to the party in the process

Simple if they used a lower standard of proof he could take them to court and would win.

The investigating QC said their is plenty of evidence that he did wrong but no the level of prrof required for a criminal charge to stand, Rennard is clearly guilty as sin and should appologise or do one. Te liberals really need to put this one to bed as soon as possible as it is doing them no good at all