Sex claims Lib Dem peer will co-operate with inquiry

A SENIOR Liberal Democrat peer accused of sexually harassing women in the party last night said he would “co-operate with any properly constituted inquiry” into the claims.

Lord Rennard issued a fresh strenuous denial of the allegations and highlighted party rules that set out the need for any case against him to be “proved by evidence to the requisite standard”.

One woman has claimed the peer followed her to the toilet at a candidates’ event in Peterborough and propositioned her when she came out. She said she knew of nine women claiming to have had similar experiences.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg faces renewed pressure over his handling of the allegations and drew criticism for appearing to attack journalists investigating the claims.

But the Liberal Democrat leader insisted the truth would only come out if the police were allowed to “do their job” and the investigations he has ordered ran their course.

Lord Rennard issued a statement last night after being notified by the party of an internal investigatory panel.

His spokesman said: “Lord Rennard refutes these allegations. He will co-operate with any properly constituted inquiry.

“He has been notified of an internal investigatory panel within the party. The matter must now be regarded as sub judice pending its proceedings and no further statement will be issued in the interim.

“He expects others to respect the sub judice principle and he notes that under the party rules concerned it is for any case made against him to be proved by evidence to the requisite standard. He denies impropriety.

“He would reiterate that in 27 years of working for the Liberal Democrats he received no complaint or allegation about his behaviour.

“Nor is he aware of any complaints being made in the three and a half years since he stood down as chief executive.”