You might have thought that being under a police investigation for his hands on approach to promoting female candidates would see LibDem HQ keeping randy Rennard out of the spotlight. His influence on the LibDem candidate selection process might give good reason to keep him away from, say, Lib Dem candidates, surely? No,  it’s all hands to the pump…

In the run-up to last week’s local elections the pervy-peer was busy campaigning for the party in Eastbourne, boasting afterwards: “we held all six seats that we were defending in Eastbourne including Upperton where I was helping”. Guido wonders what HQ make of his involvement? 

UPDATE: A LibDem spokesman tells Guido: “we were only made aware of it by his posting on Facebook. He is free to make his own decisions. His membership is under investigation.”

BREAKING Met Police have now launched formal investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Lib Dem peer Lord Rennard—
Cathy Newman (@cathynewman) April 23, 2013

Developing…

Our understanding is that the Metropolitan Police are investigating two complaints from victims who have come forward – we have had the names for some time.

Last night was a bad one for the LibDem grassroots, as the government won the Lords vote on secret courts. 26 yellow peers rebelled and voted against, but one was conspicuous in his absence. Lord Rennard was too unwell to attend:

From: “RENNARD, Lord” <RennardC@parliament.uk>

Date: Tue, 26 Mar 2013 20:53:33 +0000

To: <team@libdemsagainstsec

retcourts org.uk>

Subject: RE: Final briefing on the Justice and Security Bill ahead of this afternoon’s debate

 

Thanks

If Clegg could put his fingers in his ears and bury his head in the sand at the same time, he would. A much easier ride on LBC this week, but he still managed to admit he doesn’t want to know the details of allegations against his pervy peers. On the number of complaints to the new LibDem sex scandal hotline:

“I have decided not to find out. It’s not right for the Leader of the Party to pry into this. What I want to do is ensure the failures in the past never happen again. We’ve got to turn a page on the culture. One of the key aspects of that is to give people complete assurance that if they come forward with a complain they will be dealt with in complete confidence and if they need to be taken forward, they are taken forward.”

He says complete confidence, others might say wilful blindness…

Sarah Teather isn’t the only LibDem woman to have gone missing during the Rennard scandal. Guido noted last month and Cathy Newman asks this morning why women’s minister Jo Swinson, who investigated the initial claims, has stayed silent. How many women did she speak to? What did she do with the complaints? As if by perfect timing Swinson popped up on the Today programme this morning. Here’s a new one: when asked about randy Rennard she refused to answer “out of respect” for the accusers. The same ones that claim she told them they had to put up with it if they wanted to get on…

An interesting little snippet from Paul Waugh this afternoon: Lord Rennard took part in an emergency conference call with party bosses on the very day that Chris Huhne quit his seat. LibDem chief executive Tim Gordon’s PA invited randy Rennard to the strategy chat just minutes after Huhne made his announcement on the steps of Southwark Crown Court:

As an MP resigned and decisions needed to be made, to whom did they turn? Despite what they might want us to believe, Lord Rennard was at the heart of LibDem strategy right up until the sex pest story broke…

Have you had an accident at work? Slipped, tripped or fell into an inappropriate position with a colleague? Sarah Teather has the answer. The silent LibDem has just pocketed a £2,000 donation from Simple Claims, an ambulance-chasing personal injury compensation firm. Apparently “everyone in the workplace, including visitors and members of the public, are at risk”, and Simple Claims are “experts in providing hassle free quick settlements”. Every little helps…

It’s uncanny…

Via @NewsBiscuit

Via Ben Ravilious

Another LibDem peer with his head in the sand; Lord Newby insists he knew nothing of Rennard’s randy ways. The party’s chief whip in the Lords told the Daily Politics the whole nasty matter will soon be dealt with, thank goodness, because “we’ve got a properly appointed detective now”. He might be loathe to admit it but Rennard would never have been held to account if it were not for the self-appointed detectives Clegg and co clearly despise so much. The properly appointed detective is five years too late.