Clegg admits he knew of Rennard concerns five years ago – Media and blog round up: February 25th 2013

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Rennard Allegations – Clegg admits he was told of concerns five years ago

“The Liberal Democrat leader, Nick Clegg, was embroiled in the most difficult crisis of his leadership on Sunday after he admitted he had been aware of concerns about sexual harassment by a senior party figure more than four years ago. Lib Dem officials spent three days insisting Clegg had not known about the complaints over the behaviour of the former party chief executive and strategist Lord (Chris) Rennard, which were made on Channel 4 news on Thursday. On Sunday Clegg returned from a family holiday in Spain to make his first public statement on the controversy, in which he said that he had not known about the Channel 4 “allegations” but was made aware of “indirect and non-specific concerns” in 2008.” – Guardian

“Mr Clegg even dragged Treasury Secretary Danny Alexander into the row by revealing he asked him to investigate the allegations FIVE years ago. The peer had denied them and the matter was dropped. Lord Rennard, who led the party’s election campaigns, is accused of inappropriately touching a number of women, including one of Mr Clegg’s former special advisers. The peer vehemently denies the claims.” – The Sun

“Mr Alexander is also likely to be asked why he appeared to take Lord Rennard’s denials at face value without conducting a full investigation into the women’s claims.” – Telegraph

“Nick Clegg was accused of a ‘classic cover-up’ last night after admitting he has known for five years that Lord Rennard faced claims of molesting women.” – Daily Mail

Harman attacks “ageist and sexist” TV companies

“Harriet Harman has written to leading broadcasters asking about the number of older women employed within their organisations, the Labour Party said on Sunday. The move is part of the Commission on Older Women’s work on females in the media and public life, which Harman chairs. The shadow deputy prime minister who doubles as shadow culture secretary said there needed to be “more change” especially in relation to “this combination of ageism and sexism” faced by older women.” – Guardian

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