Image: David Spender Lord Rennard is refusing to offer up the apology it has been suggested he might like to make over allegations of sexual harassment of women activists. Well look, what kind of suggestive business suits have Lib Dem ladies been wearing? Has anybody asked that? Were they compiling sexy expense claims for the taxpayers to cover? Or simply doing that thing infuriating thing cis-women tend to do and walk around with genitals and secondary sex characteristics like boobs under their clothing? Unreasonable. Unreasonable! And wait, get this, these ladies want their complaints regarding who says what to them to get a proper response.
It's no wonder Lord Rennard doesn't think he has done anything wrong. An internal inquiry into the sexual harassment allegations has found that while there was credible evidence of "behaviour which violated the personal space and autonomy of the complainants" it was "unlikely that it could be established beyond reasonable doubt that Lord Rennard had intended to act in an indecent or sexually inappropriate way". This morning on BBC Radio 4's Today programme Lord Carlile said this was a "terrible example of secret justice" and that Lib Dem officials had told Rennard that: "there is no case to answer but you should not have done it"
Obviously if he apologises, Rennard will imply he was aware he was being inappropriate. By not apologising he maintains his innocence - or at least ignorance concerning what constitutes personal space. It seems he isn't even going to try the old 'I am sorry you feel that way about what you perceive to be my mistake' line. Nor is he taking 'full responsibility' for anything. Which makes you wonder what kind of politician is he?
Obviously if he apologises, Rennard will imply he was aware he was being inappropriate. By not apologising he maintains his innocence - or at least ignorance concerning what constitutes personal space. It seems he isn't even going to try the old 'I am sorry you feel that way about what you perceive to be my mistake' line. Nor is he taking 'full responsibility' for anything. Which makes you wonder what kind of politician is he?
| The thing is, somehow it is not Lord Rennard's reputation that is at risk. Whether he apologises or not there are enough people (male and female) who will say the women who spoke up (and I am willing to bet for every woman who did there are more who stayed silent) were over-reacting - if not exaggerating. | unacceptable behaviour that creates a hostile atmosphere for women is regularly excused and pardoned. Nah, it's them and their wombs innit, can't handle it. |
Anybody who has complained about such behaviour knows this to be the unfortunate and frustrating truth. Reducing those who spoke up to silly, over-sensitive flowers who have no business in politics.
Alison Goldsworthy, a Welsh activist commented that: "They have failed to say Lord Rennard's behaviour is unacceptable, they have failed to discipline him and therefore have failed to give victims the justice they deserve...Since this news became public, people from across the political spectrum have approached me to say they too had been a victim of someone abusing a position of power. Today's verdict, and failure to take action, sends the message that this behaviour can go unpunished...Now more than ever, the political parties must match their rhetoric with action. Women should not be afraid to speak up, and good men should not be afraid to support them. I stand by my previous statement and am taking legal advice."
Lib Dem party president (oh to have party president on my business cards) Tim Farron commented that: "While this process has not found to a criminal standard of proof that Lord Rennard acted with indecent intent, it is clear that he did not behave in the way that a chief executive should behave. Lord Rennard must reflect on his actions and apologise to the women involved."
Oh yeah and Rennard is totes still on the Lib Dem manifesto team. Meanwhile Sarah Teather has confirmed she will not be fighting the next General Election and amongst all the articles questioning whether or not women can be funny (yawn) articles asking if women are up to politics continue to crowd comment sections with the conclusion that motherhood is hard. Rather than unacceptable behaviour that creates a hostile atmosphere for women is regularly excused and pardoned. Nah, it's them and their wombs innit, can't handle it.
Nick Clegg and the ladies aren't coming out of this well, somehow Rennard appears to be coming out of this unscathed. Though if he is a bit concerned about his rep with the ladies...has our Lord Rennard and Nick Clegg considered tweeting a photo of themselves holding up a simple T-shirt? Does wonders for absolving anyone of a notoriously sexist schtick.
Squeamish Kate
Alison Goldsworthy, a Welsh activist commented that: "They have failed to say Lord Rennard's behaviour is unacceptable, they have failed to discipline him and therefore have failed to give victims the justice they deserve...Since this news became public, people from across the political spectrum have approached me to say they too had been a victim of someone abusing a position of power. Today's verdict, and failure to take action, sends the message that this behaviour can go unpunished...Now more than ever, the political parties must match their rhetoric with action. Women should not be afraid to speak up, and good men should not be afraid to support them. I stand by my previous statement and am taking legal advice."
Lib Dem party president (oh to have party president on my business cards) Tim Farron commented that: "While this process has not found to a criminal standard of proof that Lord Rennard acted with indecent intent, it is clear that he did not behave in the way that a chief executive should behave. Lord Rennard must reflect on his actions and apologise to the women involved."
Oh yeah and Rennard is totes still on the Lib Dem manifesto team. Meanwhile Sarah Teather has confirmed she will not be fighting the next General Election and amongst all the articles questioning whether or not women can be funny (yawn) articles asking if women are up to politics continue to crowd comment sections with the conclusion that motherhood is hard. Rather than unacceptable behaviour that creates a hostile atmosphere for women is regularly excused and pardoned. Nah, it's them and their wombs innit, can't handle it.
Nick Clegg and the ladies aren't coming out of this well, somehow Rennard appears to be coming out of this unscathed. Though if he is a bit concerned about his rep with the ladies...has our Lord Rennard and Nick Clegg considered tweeting a photo of themselves holding up a simple T-shirt? Does wonders for absolving anyone of a notoriously sexist schtick.
Squeamish Kate
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