Should Lord Rennard Apologise For Something He Has Been Found Not Guilty Of?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2542527/Rennard-sue-Clegg-tries-kick-Lib-Dems.html

[youngmafbog]

Yes, that is exactly the problem that people dont seem to be getting AOG.

We have seen many times on this very site how people refuse to believe someones innocence even if found not guilty in a court of law, especially if th person involved is not part of the Labour party!

[Gromit]

// ...certainly very detrimental to both his character and career. //

And perhaps he should have thought of that when he behaved in a manner that is below what was expected of a man in his position. His character and Career are already shot. An apology would not make it any worse. As it is, his refusal to admit and apologise for anything makes him look arogant and unrepentant.

[Gromit]

// ...people refuse to believe someones innocence //

But the independent report did not find him innocent, it said he did stuff that he should apologise for. He should apologise for what he did, and not apologise for the stuff that wasn't proven.

If he had done that last week, we wouldn't still be talking about it now.

[bentaxle]

What's wrong with the woman of today a quick slap across the face and the threat to tell there wife' was enough years ago

[mikey4444]

I agree with bentaxel here. At least the women involved didn't wait 50 years before making a complaint.

[mikey4444]

Gromit has it right here. Cleggie should have lanced this boil a week ago, instead of letting it fester. The LibDems have only themselves to blame.

[anneasquith]

he's been suspended from the party .

[andy-hughes]

youngmafbog - but he is not innocent, that is the point that you don't seem to be getting.

The parties involved all understand that LR is guilyt of inappropriate behaviour - but that does not mean that it can be proven in a court.

The term 'insufficient evidence' is a polite way of saying - 'We know he did it, but we don't have a strong enough case to go to court.'

That does not make LR 'not guilty', nor does it make him 'innocent' - it means what it says, there is insufficient innocence.

So the decent mature thing to do is to emerge with a degree of dignity for all concerned - including and especially LR - by making a reserved apology (as opposed to an unreserved apology) which means he comes away from a damaging situation with minimal damage.

His pig-headed 'I've done nothing wrong ...' stance does make him look - as advised - unfeeling and arrogant, the very attitudes that have brought him here in the first place.

[grasscarp]

From what I heard on the radio this morning his lawyer told him he should not apologise as that would say he had done something wrong.

[Gromit]

The internal report chaired by an inependent arbitor, a QC, recommended that Rennard had things he should apologise for. His failure to comply is why this is dragging on.

[Gromit]

Grasscarp

The independent internal inquiry found that he had done something wrong.

[mikey4444]

I am not sure that he has been suspended from the Party, but I stand ready to be corrected here. Hasn't he just been denied the Whip, which thinking about it, he might not like !

[emmie]

had a woman slapped his face wouldn't she possibly be up for assault...

[emmie]

he has been suspended temporarily from the party,

[mikey4444]

You are indeed right emmie :::

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-25804724

[emmie]

it was just on the news.

[dannyk13]

If his solicitor told him not to apologise then it would be unwise of him to do so.

[DTCwordfan]

what does that achieve - he can still go and sit on the green leather, I presume.

[mikey4444]

I have thought of a good idea here. Couldn't all the other Lords and Ladies allow him to sit on the green leather but refuse to talk to him. In other words, send him to Coventry ? Until he owned up, like a good little boy ?

My Mum would have sent to bed without his supper ! She would also have given him a good spanking but we mustn't make it too appealing to him.

[Gromit]

// Couldn't all the other Lords and Ladies allow him to sit on the green leather but refuse to talk to him. In other words, send him to Coventry ? Until he owned up, like a good little boy ? //

The LibDem peers gave Rennard a rousing cheer when he returned.