Friday 22 May 2009

Lib Dem election chief Lord Rennard quits 'for family reasons’


The peer, a key electoral strategist, announced he would be stepping down in the autumn.

Lord Rennard has been facing criticism over his expenses claims, but a party spokesman insisted there was no link to his departure.

In a letter to Lib Dem members, Lord Rennard said he had discussed the move with Nick Clegg, the party leader, “some time ago”. “I want to be able to work more flexibly in future whilst of course continuing to help our party advance,” he wrote.

“I believe that I will be better able to do so without the administrative burdens of being chief executive.”

The peer has been criticised for claiming more than £40,000 for running a second home, despite owning an apartment less than two miles from Westminster.

Lord Rennard has insisted that his claims were cleared with the House authorities.

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