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.

It is worth noting what Guido had to say about Paul Burstow’s involvement in dealing with the Rennard allegtions back in May 2009:

“Paul Burstow, Chief Whip in the House of Commons, phoned a number of female LibDem PPCs personally to assure them that Chris Rennard would no longer be in charge of their careers. A number of Cowley Street staffers are rejoicing at the departure of of the Chief Executive.  Mostly female staff…”

Burstow has just had a nightmare under pressure from LBC’s Julia Hartley-Brewer:

Just spoken @lbc973 to Paul Burstow MP, ex LibDem chief whip, abt Lord Rennard complaints. He spectacularly failed to answer ANY questions.—
Julia Hartley-Brewer (@JuliaHB1) February 28, 2013

No answers in a textbook car crash interview. Guido is working on getting the audio…

UPDATE: You can listen to the interview here:

Randy Rennard’s hands-on approach was common knowledge years ago, and evidence of Mike Hancock’s teen sleaze also found its way to the top. Turns out Nick was something of a know-it-all…

Guido hopes former by-election supremo Lord Rennard will appreciate his Eastleigh souvenir stickers. Back in 1983 Liberal activists fighting against Peter Tatchell in Bermondsey infamously if unsubtly wore “I’ve been kissed by Peter” badges. It’s only fair randy Rennard gets a taste of his own medicine…

Weirdy-beardy Lord Greaves has been at it again on the LibDem forum; smearing one of the women at the centre of the allegations as untrustworthy and a “fundraiser who raised less money than she cost to employ”. Guido hears he’s been referred to the internal investigation on the matter. Now Shirley Williams has come out to bat for Rennard, insisting that “he is a very fine man”. Something is badly wrong when the only LibDem women willing to talk to the press are defending the party sex pest…

Given the very obvious lack of female LibDem MPs coming forward to discuss Lord Rennard on the airwaves, is it really wise for one of them to joke about avoiding the cameras?

Sarah Teather has been located at last: she’s on the way to Eastleigh:

You might not want to do media, Sarah, but Guido suspects others in your party would like you to take the bold step and speak up. What did you know of Lord Rennard’s ways and when? As a female candidate selected to fight a winnable by-election masterminded by the man himself, she would be able to shed some light on the situation. Why so quiet?

“The issues of his inappropriate behaviour were in the background“. Once more, Clegg’s Sunday statement does not ring true…

"I can only tell you the truth as I recollect it now" is positively Nixonian #callclegg—
Guido Fawkes (@GuidoFawkes) February 27, 2013

'I can only tell you the truth as I can recollect it now,' Nick Clegg protests. This is not going well #callclegg—
James Chapman (Mail) (@jameschappers) February 27, 2013

Nick Ferrari getting very frustrated with Nick Clegg's Rennard answers on @lbc973 #CallClegg—
Matt Chorley (@MattChorley) February 27, 2013

So Clegg is calling Sandra Gidley a liar now… Interesting manoeuvre. Wonder how confident he is in the loyalty of Oates, Alexander etc…—
Max Wind-Cowie (@MaxWindCowie) February 27, 2013

Clegg says for first time Lord Rennard may have stood down for reasons other than his health:"Of course these things were in the background"—
Sophy Ridge (@SophyRidgeSky) February 27, 2013

Clegg says 'issues' of Rennard's 'inappropriate behaviour' were a factor in his departure. Clegg not even pretending he might be innocent!—
Tim Shipman (Mail) (@ShippersUnbound) February 27, 2013

Great @cathynewman is a caller to #CallClegg! – truly a proper self appointed detective #Rennard—
Benedict Brogan (@benedictbrogan) February 27, 2013

"My head is spinning at the number of media outlets involved now" yes Nick. Its called a scandal. #CallClegg—
Harry Cole (@MrHarryCole) February 27, 2013

Why were "the issues of innappropriate behaviour kept in the background" when Rennard stood down on health grounds? #Cleggcall—
esmewren (@esmesky) February 27, 2013

In his statement on Sunday Clegg insisted: “he subsequently resigned as Chief Executive on health grounds”. Today he admits the claims against Rennard were “in the background” when he quit. His story is unravelling…

Here is something that Call Clegg listeners might like to ask the Deputy Prime Minister about. Former LibDem MP Sandra Gidley was asked whether she told Clegg about Rennard when he became leader in 2007:

“Yes, that is true but at this point I don’t want to go any further. I am hoping his memory might be jogged. Shall we leave it at that?”

Guido is sure Clegg would love to “leave it at that”…