Rennard accusations won't harm the party says Rendel

Lord Rennard masterminded the 1993 Newbury by-election campaign, which saw Mr Rendel romp to victory and return as the town’s MP until 2005, but the peer now faces accusations of inappropriate sexual behaviour towards at least 10 women as far back as 2001.
He denies the accusations, and Mr Rendel, who is now shadow portfolio holder for several West Berkshire Council departments including finance, is confident that the party will not lose support as a result.
He said: “I don’t think that the private behaviour of any particular member of the party necessarily reflects on the whole party.”
However, he did say that news of the accusations facing the man that helped him to win his parliamentary seat came as a shock.
He added: “I have always liked Chris and I was shocked and surprised that these accusations were made. Whether they are true or not, I couldn’t possibly comment, what I can say is it came as a huge surprise.
“He was crucial to [my] by-election campaign and by-elections that followed in Christchurch and Eastleigh.
"He was, and still is, a fantastic campaigner and the party owes him a great deal for that reason. The Newbury by-election was the start of the great surge forward for Liberal Democrats. He paved the way for many victories to follow and I will always be grateful to him for the help he has given to my career.
“Clearly that doesn’t excuse him if he did do what he is accused of; the women have an absolute right to have it investigated.”
Mr Rendel also said he did not think the affair would scupper Liberal Democrat chances in the Eastleigh by-election, where they are currently fighting to retain the seat.
It became vacant after Chris Huhne resigned earlier this month, following his admission that he perverted the course of justice over claims his ex-wife took speeding points for him.
After a meeting between the Met Police and the Liberal Democrats on Tuesday about the accusations against Lord Rennard, a spokesman for the party, James Holt, said: “It is important that people with information have the confidence to come forward and that their information is dealt with sensitively and appropriately.
“We would encourage anyone with information to speak to trained officers on (020) 8721 4601.
“While we establish if criminal activity has taken place, we will continue with the two inquiries set up by the party.”