Clegg in storm over comments about Nigella-Saatchi incident

The Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg caused some controversy during his LBC radio show "Call Clegg" when he was asked about the incident involving Nigella Lawson and her husband Charles Saatchi. Pictures were published at the weekend which showed Mr Saatchi's hand on Ms Lawson's throat. Mr Clegg was asked "if you'd been at the restaurant eating close by to Nigella and Saatchi when he disturbingly put his hands around her neck what would your reaction of been?" 

Mr Clegg responded to the question by saying "oh Elizabeth what a difficult question, I find it so difficult to imagine. I don't know what happened, I'm like you I don't know what happened. So you see a couple having an argument you just assume they'll to resolve it themselves if of course something descends into outright violence then of course thats something different. I just don't know there was this one photograph, I don't know if that was just a fleeting thing or something more, I'm really sorry Elizabeth I am at a loss to be able to put myself into that position exactly. Its Mr Clegg's "fleeting thing" comment is what has caused outrage. 

The Shadow Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, commenting on Nick Clegg’s LBC remarks this morning, said: "Nick Clegg revealed how little he understands violence against women this morning. Far too often violence against women is dismissed as fleeting or unimportant. Too often public institutions don't take it seriously enough. Domestic violence is still a hidden crime - and victims suffer or are ignored as a result. Mr Saatchi has accepted a police caution for assault and the images from the restaurant are disturbing. Ministers should show they are prepared to condemn this kind of violence against women and that they recognise the seriousness of domestic abuse. Nick Clegg completely failed to do that this morning."

Nick Clegg has released a statement in which he said: "I completely condemn all forms of domestic violence. As I said on the radio, my instinct would always be to try and protect the weaker person, to try and protect the person who otherwise would be hurt. But I was asked a very specific question about how I would have reacted to a specific incident which I did not see. I said I did not know how I would have reacted to that specific incident because I do not know what happened. The point I was making is that I don’t know what other people in the restaurant saw and I don’t want to make a judgement on their reaction."

Johnson & Livingstone clash over tax affairs

Jenny Jones, Boris Johnson, Brian Paddick & Ken Livingstone at this mornings debate*

The Labour candidate Ken Livingstone, during the debate on LBC radio this morning, has once again accused his Conservative opponent, Boris Johnson, of having the same tax avoidance measures that he has, a claim Mr Johnson has always strenuously denied.

On air Mr Johnson accused Mr Livingstone of telling "barefaced lies" over the issue. Liberal Democrat candidate, Brian Paddick, waded in saying the difference between these two is Mr Livingstone had "railed against people who do what he is doing." Which is correct Mr Livingstone is on record condemning "rich b*****ds" who indulge in tax avoidance. It is just hypocrisy from Mr Livingstone.

The mayoral debate continued after the microphones went off. It is being reported that on the way out, of LBC the four candidates were in the lift, along with Managing Director of LBC radio James Rea Mr Johnson & Mr Livingstone were "nose to nose" and that Mr Johnson said three times "you're a f*****g liar". A spokesman for Ken Livingstone has confirmed Mr Johnson's outburst in the lift. 

Mr Livingstone said Johnson's company, Finland Station, was set up to handle his outside income from filming. "That's the same as my company - Silveta Ltd. That's not to avoid tax. If you really want to avoid tax you have something offshore. He said he enjoyed the hustings "immensely".

Mr Johnson's campaign have issued a statement rebutting Livingstone's claims about the mayor's tax arrangements. The statement says: "His claims against Boris Johnson's tax arrangement are lies and he knows they are."

Mr Johnson said "in relation to my business affairs and tax arrangements, specifically do I have any company or other arrangements constructed to enable me to pay less tax and do I, as has been claimed by the Labour mayoral candidate and the opposition leader (Ed Miliband) have the same arrangements as Labour's mayoral candidate, the answer is simple and unequivocal in both cases: no".

A Poll on the LBC website asking: Which candidate did the best in the London Mayoral Debate? shows an overwhelming triumph for Boris Johnson:

Boris Johnson - 64.59%
Ken Livingstone - 21.17%
Brian Paddick - 9.21%
Jenny Jones - 5.02%

*image courtesy of LBC radio.