Nick Clegg denies 'cooking as the world burns' following Sunday morning TV show appearance
NICK CLEGG today denied he was "cooking as the world burned" when he appeared on Channel 4's light-hearted Sunday Brunch show, despite international crises gripping the Middle East and Ukraine.
The Deputy Prime Minister sipped tequila and made an avocado cake when he appeared on the popular TV show on Sunday morning, while the Government's emergency Cobra committee held a meeting in Whitehall.
In his monthly press conference this morning, Mr Clegg rejected a suggestion from a Liberal Democrat activist that "as the world burned, Nick Clegg cooked".
The Lib Dem leader said: "It's a show which is watched by lots and lots of people, lots of young people.
"We talked about Ukraine, we talked about politics, we talked about government policy.
"It's important, isn't it, for politicians to get through to people who care about what's going on in the world as much as anybody else?
We talked about Ukraine, we talked about politics, we talked about government policy
"Is the suggestion that people who watch Sunday Brunch don't care about Ukraine?
"It's not my experience.
"I think it's right actually always to try to reach out to people as best as you can."
Aides to Mr Clegg said he did not take part in the Cobra meeting as the only minister to attend was the Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond.
Staff from Mr Clegg's office were present at the committee.
As well as tasting tequila, Mr Clegg discussed his favourite type of vinegar - balsamic - with the show's hosts Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer.
He also described the weekly Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons as a "complete farce".