Clegg laughs off Kennedy defection rumours

Описание

<p> Nick Clegg has laughed off rumours that one of his predecessors as Liberal Democrat leader is defecting to Labour. </p><p> The Deputy Prime Minister said the suggestion that Charles Kennedy was quitting in protest at the coalition deal was the silliest of silly-season stories . </p><p> The long-serving MP is believed to be upset over the policy compromises made to form the alliance with the Tories, and especially the deep spending cuts that have been proposed. </p><p> He refused to endorse the coalition deal when it was put to a vote of the parliamentary party in May, preferring a tie-up with Labour. </p><p> Mr Clegg said he had received an email from Mr Kennedy reassuring him there was no basis to the rumours. </p><p> He said: I can't do better than say what Charles has said which is that it's the silliest of the silly-season stories. It's just nonsense so I'm not going to waste any more time on it. </p>