As Chief Executive , Rennard oversaw the party 's recovery from a series of crises in January 2006 when Charles Kennedy resigned as Leader , Mark Oaten resigned as the party 's Home Affairs spokesman .
Simon Hughes was claimed to be gay by The Sun newspaper .
As Chief Executive , Rennard oversaw the party 's recovery from a series of crises in January 2006 when Charles Kennedy resigned as Leader , Mark Oaten resigned as the party 's Home Affairs spokesman and Simon Hughes was claimed to be gay by The Sun newspaper .