Dodgy “Nick Clegg”

Dodgy “Nick Clegg” had Lib-Dem’s Cash donations put directly into his own personnel banking account'

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg is now facing potentially damaging questions over donations paid directly into his own personal bank account.

These so called gifts of over £250 a month were made by three leading business figures but Mr Clegg has denied any wrongdoing and insisted they were properly registered as any British MP would say, and all, always say when in denying any wrong doings until it comes to light? Over the last year over half of the British MP’s have been caught with their hands in the cookie jar, Nick Clegg was also found to have put in false expenses claims in the investigations last year.

He said the money was used to fund a member of staff in his parliamentary office which they all say.

But why where these the funds were paid directly into his own account rather than to the Lib Dems is the question Nick has to answer if all is above board?.

A former chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, Sir Alistair Graham, said the arrangement appeared to be 'irregular'.

Money was paid from Ian Wright, a senior executive at drinks giant Diageo, Neil Sherlock, head of public affairs at accountants KPMG, and Michael Young, a former gold mining executive.

The transactions went into Mr Clegg's bank account in 2006, before he became the Lib Dem leader and they were used to pay part of a salary for a member of staff, according to Clegg.

Clegg's bank statements, apparently seen by a British newspaper, show the series of payments into his personal account. They are recorded as 'automated credits' from the businessmen. During the period covered by the statements, Mr Clegg was the Lib Dem home affairs spokesman.

The donations were registered with the Electoral Commission and the Parliamentary Register of Members Interests.

However, Nick Clegg did not disclose that they were being paid into his own and personal bank account.

Sir Alistair said: 'Given that he's been very holier-than-thou about these things, it would seem he has some explaining to do to his party and the electorate.

One would expect donations to be paid to a party account - that would be the most straightforward arrangement. It would now make sense for someone independent to check these accounts.'

Martin Bell, the former independent ant sleaze MP, said: 'There are clearly questions to answer here. Nick Clegg needs to show us that this arrangement was all above board and legitimate.'

On the campaign trail in Bristol today, Mr Clegg said: 'I received money from three friends which was properly given, properly received, properly declared, and properly used to pay for part of the salary of a member of my staff.

'Any suggestion I did anything wrong is out of order and I'm going to publish the figures to prove it.' (Will these figures include the interest paid by the bank?)

Of course Lib Dem spin sources said the money was paid to his account because it was the 'easiest' way and there was no fund for the 'Parliamentary Office of the Liberal Democrats'.

His entry reads: 'From February 2006 I receive monthly contributions towards the salary of a member of staff in my parliamentary office from: Mr Michael Young, London (personal donation), Mr Neil Sherlock, Godalming (personal donation), Mr Ian Wright, Rutland (personal donation).'

Mr Sherlock, Mr Young and Mr Wright said they were satisfied the donations had been used to fund a member of staff.

However, the decision to accept the money into his personal account threatens to undermine Mr Clegg's appeal as the man who has vowed to clean up politics. He has lambasted rivals for blocking reform of the expenses system and party funding.

Clegg has also this week been hit by allegations over his own lobbying activities and expenses claims.