Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Liberal Democrat officials insisted last night that Nick Clegg's wife did not breach any conflict of interest after it emerged that she gave paid advice to food giant Kraft just weeks before her husband condemned the firm for sacking British workers.
DLA Piper, the law firm that Miriam Gonzalez Durantez worked for until early last year, was hired by Kraft just three weeks before her husband called its takeover of Cadbury "just plain wrong".
According to reports in The Sunday Telegraph, Mrs Clegg led the team that was awarded the contract to handle the firm's "day-to-day legal needs".
Kraft's takeover of Cadbury in 2010 came under scrutiny after it emerged that RBS would lend part of the money for the takeover. Mr Clegg told the then Prime Minister, Gordon Brown: "When taxpayers bailed out the banks, they would never have believed that their money would now be used to put British people out of work."
Last night a spokesman for Nick Clegg said: "Miriam Gonzalez Durantez does not lobby ministers. Her only engagement is at official government events or party or social events. She does not discuss her clients with her husband or any other government minister."
Sir Jeremy Heywood, the Cabinet Secretary, added: "We have clear procedures in place to protect [Mrs Clegg] and the DPM from any conflicts of interest on any perception of undue influence and I am fully satisfied that these are rigorously complied with."
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments