Clegg admits Lib Dems let women down for 20 years as damning report into sex claims reveals repeated failures to investigate Dozens of witnesses tell independent inquiry of chaotic way party was run Report was ordered after allegations were made against Lord Rennard The former chief executive denies any wrongdoing Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg admitted his party had failed women for 20 years Nick Clegg today admitted that for two decades his party made a catalogue of mistakes which meant sex allegations were not properly investigated. The Liberal Democrat leader took delivery of a damning report which revealed complaints were not properly investigated, victims were scared to speak out and women were forced to quit their jobs after having children. In particular it found that former chief executive Lord Rennard wielded too much power over the party which failed to probe complaints against him. Businesswoman Helena Morrissey was asked to conduct an independent inquiry into the party's handing of complaints. It was ordered after several women went public with allegations of groping and sexual misconduct against Lord Rennard emerged earlier this year. It is separate from a Met Police investigation and a Lib Dem internal inquiry into Lord Rennard's conduct. Ms Morrisey's report singled out Lib Dem ministers Jo Swinson and Danny Alexander for adopting an informal approach to the allegations which was "ultimately not sufficient." In particular serious allegations were recorded on "sticky notes" in Miss Swinson's Filofax and no formal records were kept. The report found that problems in the party reached "a peak in the mid-2000s." The report claimed a number of people within the party failed to "properly investigate complaints in a timely and professional manner." It found there was not "a conscious attempt to cover up problems" but an institutional problem in the way the party was run. A culture of treating women badly ran counter to the Lib Dems" supposed credentials as a party of civil liberties. Ms Morrissey said: "I think mistakes were definitely made. They were made by Nick Clegg, Danny Alexander and Jo Swinson. I think you can make a mistake and learn from them, it's different from setting out to mislead or to do something wrong. Lord Rennard has strenuously denied acting inappropriately towards women during his time as Lib Dem chief executive Mr Clegg admitted that the report made "sobering reading." The Deputy Prime Minister added: "It shows that stretching over a 20 year period a series of mistakes were made which left a number of women feeling seriously let down and for that there is absolutely no excuse whatsoever." Four women made allegations against Lord Rennard, but Ms Morrissey said her review also uncovered wider examples of "low level sexism" and a "relucatance to investigate" within the party. Scotland Yard is investigating allegations against the peer and an internal Lib Dem investigation has been put on hold pending the outcome of the police inquiry. The report in particular highlights concern about the power Lord Rennard came to hold over the party, making it hard for people to challenge him. He was described by different people interviewed by the inquiry as "talismanic," "totemic," "demi-god," "lionised," "the spider in the centre of the web," "guru" and "campaign god." Businesswoman Helena Morrissey said Mr Clegg should have ordered a formal inquiry into allegations of sexual harassment against Lord Rennard The report adds: "That anyone should occupy such a position of power in any organisation is clearly unhealthy and raises the risk of issues not being escalated and dealt with appropriately." It found that formal processes to deal with complaints from staff were in place but were not followed, "largely due to the sensitive nature of the allegations and the position of the person to whom they were directed." An appeal for information in the wake of the sex allegations saw 42 people come forward, including 32 with specific complaints. One witness told the inquiry that the culture of a political party meant "boundaries slowly creep back and a tolerated awkward approach becomes a tolerated sexual assault and it's a slippery slope to tolerating far worse." In addition to allegations of sexual misconduct, there were claims that pregnant women had maternity pay and other benefits withheld, their jobs downgraded after returning to work and working hours demands which meant they had to resign. Another review will be carried out in Autumn 2014 to see if Mr Clegg has got a grip on the problem. The report continued: 'While the circumstances were obviously sensitive, and will always be so if senior staff are accused of sexual harassment, no one is 'above the law' and an organisation has a duty of care to all employees (and volunteers) to investigate, in order to protect the interests of everyone - alleged victims, the accused and everyone else. In this case, the ambiguity now over whether all the women did in fact want to remain anonymous would not exist if a proper and prompt investigation had been instigated. The report recommended actions to prevent bullying and harassment and to encourage formal complaints to stop issues festering. Ms Morrissey also recommended a dedicated pastoral care office to deal with complaints and give them a much higher priority. Mr Clegg said he would implement all the recommendations made in Ms Morrissey's report "without delay." He added: "The report shows that the individuals who dealt with their complaints had the right motives, but there weren't the right processes in place to support the women who'd come forward. And as Leader of the Liberal Democrats I take responsibility for that. That's why we've made a number of big changes in the party in recent years and why we must and will do more. Let me be clear: the Liberal Democrats must be a party where even a hint of sexism is taken seriously; where every allegation of harassment is dealt with properly; and where there can be no fear that power or position can be abused. ;Helena Morrissey herself confirmed that we have made significant steps in fixing these problems and she confirmed that there's no cover up of any error or wrongdoing. But she's right to say that there's more we should do and that's why we must now speed up the process of change within the party. A statement issued by Janes Solicitors said Lord Rennard would not be making any comment on the report until the police process was concluded. It said: 'Lord Rennard has had no involvement with the Morrissey Report. As is appropriate, he will not be making any statement on it until the conclusion of the current police process.