Clegg: The wheels begin to fall off as Lib Dem leader comes under fire over expenses and lobby firm links

By James Chapman and Gerri Peev
Last updated at 1:32 AM on 21st April 2010

Nick Clegg was forced on to the defensive last night over his expenses and lobbying activities.

The Lib Dem leader regularly claimed more than Gordon Brown and David Cameron and charged the taxpayer for three kitchen upgrades in six months.

He also billed for foreign phone calls, napkins, cake tins and for hundreds of pounds to prune his fruit trees.

Questioned over his expenses relating to his constituency property, he hit back, bizarrely saying: ‘It’s not my home, it’s yours.’

Source Daily Mail

Well it’s really funny after a number of emails and letters to the press i still can’t debate on salford Radio.

But Mole junior can. Do i see someone scared of facing me in the studio? Perhaps when you phone Salford Radio you should put the Question.

Why are independents refused a chance to challenge the so called main stream parties?

And one more question if any of the main stream party leaders could not attend would the station allow someone to cover? if that’s the case why am i not allowed?

From the Tory Fighting Norman in the Elections.

Pleased 2b given accolade of hands-down winner by opposition Party activists at tonight’s uni hustings debate &question time.

 

Wrong leaflet quotes were ‘clerical error’ Lib Dems say

The Lib Dems said they confused Mrs Hampson with Mrs Thompson Quotes wrongly attributed to a great-grandmother on a Liberal Democrat election leaflet were a “genuine clerical error”, the party has said. Mary Hampson, from Gatley in Greater Manchester, was pictured in three leaflets with statements supporting Cheadle candidate Mark Hunter. Mr Hunter is parliamentary private secretary to party leader Nick Clegg. Mrs Hampson, 86, only gave permission for her photo to be used in last year’s local election campaign. She had supported her neighbour, Lib Dem councillor Iain Roberts, but had not spoken about Mr Hunter, who became MP for Cheadle in 2005. Mrs Hampson was quoted in one of the leaflets as saying: “Mark’s got a lot of experience speaking up for local people and delivering for us.” A Liberal Democrat spokesman said: “It was a genuine clerical error. It was a Mrs Thompson – not Mrs Hampson – who had given her permission to be used.”

Quality again from Mr Kingston and the Salford Star

Number 1…

“The qualities of Salford men and women shine through the adversity of their everyday lives. They were, and still are, people with courage, determination, wit and compassion, and they have an unrivalled ability to see through falseness and to expose insincerity.” Hazel’s maiden speech in the House of Commons on becoming an MP.

Number 2

“Our parents’ generation saw political activity as something to benefit the community. Today, people see politics as something to benefit politicians. This is a travesty.” Hazel speaking two years ago

Number 3

“I have always said that politics was in danger of looking like a way for people to benefit themselves, rather than serve the public. This is … very unfair to all those elected representatives who champion their communities, work hard, make personal sacrifices, and don’t expect much reward or thanks.” Hazel answering questions in today’s Guardian

Answers to Hazel on a postcard c/o  the House of Commons or her office on the Crescent…