Panel rules out further inquiry into sexual harassment claims against Lib Dem peer Chris Rennard
Summary
An independent Liberal Democrat panel concluded that it could not reopen the sexual harassment complaints against peer Chris Rennard without new evidence. Party leader Ed Davey said he was disappointed, while Rennard said the complaint should be published and argued that the renewed investigation should not have taken place.Key Facts
- The complaints were made by four women against Rennard.
- The Liberal Democrats asked three independent adjudicators, who are party members, to reassess Rennard’s conduct.
- The party sought a reassessment after receiving advice that a 2013 investigation had been flawed in several respects.
- The panel concluded, after taking legal advice, that it could not reopen the case without new evidence.
- Davey had suspended Rennard from the party while the investigation was reopened.
- Davey said the women had been let down by the earlier process and expressed frustration that the case could not be reinvestigated.
- Rennard said police and independent inquiries had investigated and dismissed the allegations in 2013–14.
- A 2013 review said there was broadly credible evidence of behaviour that violated the complainants’ personal space and autonomy, while assessing the case as having less than a 50% chance of being proved beyond reasonable doubt.
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