to be disgusted with Nick Clegg

[NorthernLurker]

So now we know that our DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER knew he had a man involved at a senior level in his party who was rumoured to harass women and he failed to act but instead faciliatated a cover-up. Fabulous. What an example to the voters

[LineRunner]

PessaryPam I suppose I have been conned into thinking she was ok because people always give her a nice clap on Questiontime.

[TheOriginalLadyFT]

Jesus Christ, it really is beyond depressing that there is always someone to downplay and minimise stories like these, by making references to 'real sexual abuse' and 'genuine' victims. Is it any wonder that women and men who have been sexually harassed don't come forward when there are other men and women just queuing up to assassinate their characters and deem them pathetic whiners who just want to cause a lot of trouble?

This. What he did is vile, sexual coercion and it is not acceptable. I am sick and tired of the whole "if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen" bullshit levelled at women daring to refuse to play the "this is how the big boys roll" game.

Nick Clegg knew fine well what was being said about Rennard and he ignored it, because politics trumps women's rights. I've heard all the LibDem cant on equal opportunities and you know what? Fine words butter no parsnips.

[FloraFox]

It seems Williams is saying not just that the accusations against Rennard were hopelessly exaggerated but "the whole thing". I assume she means the outrage about the lack of action in response to the complaints by the Lib Dems for years is hopelessly exaggerated. This sort of thing together with Clegg's minimising statements about self-appointed detectives and his pitiful performance on LBC are almost as disgraceful as their failures to deal with the complaints at the time. The shocking thing is that they clearly cannot see that.

[NorthernLurker]

Having read her mother's books where she describes her hopes for her daughter, I'm always disappointed in Shirley Williams.


The argument that this is being 'stirred up' as a political football is so flawed. Sure the timing suits some parties and not the Lib Dems but there still has to be something to stir. So many women are said to have been involved. Are they all poor at coping, lacking in gumption and exaggerating?

[NorthernLurker]

Now I'm seriously annoyed! Even Allison Pearson has said something sensible about this. It painds me to agree with her at all

[edam]

It's striking that Rennard hasn't denied assault or harassment or propositioning women who knew he had the power to decide whether they were selected. He has merely claimed that he has never received any complaints. Yet we know complaints were made, and Clegg has now admitted that was a factor in asking Rennard to step down.

It's clear that Rennard knows he's guilty as sin.

[FloraFox]

It's so annoying when prominent people are accused of things and they respond with highly technical denials. It allows their supporter to say "well he's denying it" but denying what? Clegg's responses have been the same.

[Darkesteyes]

Only just caught the end of this thread but apparently Clegg knew about this in 2008.
On Channel 4 news tonight they showed a clip of a speech Clegg did in 2009 (the following year) where he was praising Rennard and practically licking his arse.
Makes me feel sick!

[LineRunner]

I feel like the senior Lib Dems are in a holding pattern over Eastleigh until the result tomorrow night and then Rennard may well be on his own.

[Jasmo]

Worked with Chris Rennard in the 1980s and never heard a whisper or saw any inappropriate behaviour. However he was someone both admired and feared, seen as a very slick operator and willing to play dirty in elections to get results.
A lifelong liberal I joined the party at 16 but I have nothing but contempt for Nick Clegg and the party now! I wouldnt vote for them again with him at the helm. I wanted Chris Huhne to win the last leadership contest so there's a damning indictment for you , one's a criminal willing to lie to the police and the other is willing to sell his principles and say anything to get off the hook. Completely disillusioned with every single one of them!

[vesela]

I know Clegg is politically inept, but now he seems to be being inept beyond the call of duty. There has to be some reason - it must all run deeper in some way. Because the only sensible thing to have done would have been to say what Tim Farron has - "we screwed up."

[PeoniesPlease]

I'm really angry about this - all these abuse stories coming out actually. But what really fucks me off about Clegg is that it seems to me that if he didn't know the substance of the allegations against Rennard (which I find , but anyway), then he displayed a shocking lack of curiosity over the whole matter, in order that he would later be able to claim ignorance. It seems to me that he will sacrifice anything (or anyone) for power.

[vesela]

Peonies - I think they probably made a deal in 2008/9 that Rennard would stand aside in return for not being presented with any formal complaints or named persons, to give him cover if any of the complainants did later go to the press/police. What I don't get is why Clegg seems to have felt the need to stress that he also "knew nothing." Clegg must have realised he wouldn't get away with it. Or it all runs deeper.

[vesela]

i.e. I don't get why it was so vital for Clegg to make out that he didn't know. The only sensible course of action would have been to say "We thought it would be enough to get rid of Rennard, sorry, we know we should have had a proper investigation. We screwed up."

[YouTheCat]

The LibDems... so much backtracking they have more reverse gears than an Italian tank.

[frostyfingers]

Agree Vesela, but that would be open and honest and that seems to be impossible for some of these politicians. Why they just can't work out that to be upfront and tell the truth when this happens god only knows - are they really as stupid as all that? Terrifying that they are involved in running the country.

[PeoniesPlease]

Vesela, that does seem more likely than my theories! I'm just annoyed that it seems that they are actually incapable of knowing the difference between telling the truth and lying - being honest isn't what matters, the "spin" is what is important to them.

And no one seemed to care about the victims in all of this - it was all about managing Rennard.

[vesela]

frostyfingers - probably because they're all threatening each other. "If you let on about X, then I'll do Y/let it be known that Z." The ones at the centre of the action, anyway.

[vesela]

I also don't like the "everyone knew about the rumours" culture. I think that some people in the party actually relished that kind of thing - who's in the know and who isn't. A bit like with Charles Kennedy.

Although some obviously hold more responsibility than others, and some tried and others didn't, it's still a collective failure on the part of the Lib Dems, in my view.

[YouTheCat]

Even I knew Charles Kennedy had an alcohol problem and I have nothing to do with the LibDems.

[jobenn]

Agree with ppeatfruit. I's right across British society. We have to widen our concerns, not just limit them to personally attacking the latest poor mutt who has got himself caught.

Now then, you people who are all Nick Clegg bashing - I do hope you haven't been reading the Daily Mail? Most of the UK does unfortunately, & we have recently discovered, thanks to mumsnet (media requests) exactly how they stoke up their hate campaigns. Possibly the press generally does the same, so I shouldn't limit my censure to the DM, but this just happens to be on my radar at the moment.

[YouTheCat]

I do not read the Fail! I don't even click on links.

Clegg is an idiot who has been utterly ineffectual as a Deputy PM. Many politicians are self-serving weasels.

[jobenn]

Sorry, ppeatfruit's post I referred to is way back on Page 1, I just read very slowly!!

[jobenn]

And your post YouTheCat, essentially supposts what I am saying - "many politicians are self-serving weasels." Yes, across all parties!

[ppeatfruit]

Yes jobenn thanks This reminds me of a poster attacking Clegg on a different thread and calling him a Toff I had to remind her that Cameron is the ultimate mindless toff and some how he doesn't seem to attract the vitriol that's reserved for the Libdems. IMO the DM has a LOT to do with it.