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Nick Clegg's wife was embroiled in controversy today after it emerged that her firm advised the Libyan government.
A source told the Standard that a team of lobbyists with her company gave behind the scenes advice to Libya during negotiations with the European Union. But DLA Piper denied that Miriam Gonzalez Durantez had ever worked on its Libyan account.
The Libyans are attempting to extract tens of millions of pounds in concessions from the EU in return for halting the migration of thousands of Africans from Libya to Europe.
Human rights laws currently prevent European countries from deporting illegal immigrants and bogus asylum seekers back to the Arab country as they are routinely tortured and imprisoned by Gaddafi's regime.
The disclosure of links between her firm and the Libyan government is embarrassing for Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and the Coalition, which has strongly criticised the massacre of up to 450 Libyan pro-democracy protesters.
A senior Liberal Democrat MP said: "People in the party will privately be very unhappy about this. It's not what I would wish my partner to do."
Labour MEP Richard Howitt, who is on the foreign affairs committee of the European Parliament, said: "I am shocked and deeply worried at the suggestion Mrs Clegg's firm has been championing Libyan interests in Europe."
Libya's appalling human rights record means it is one of the few countries without a formal legal relationship with the EU.
A DLA Piper spokesman said: "DLA Piper does not comment on its client relationships. However, it is appropriate to confirm that Miriam does not act for the government of Libya.
"We can also confirm that Miriam, while working for DLA Piper, has not visited Tripoli or anywhere else in Libya, or met with Colonel Gaddafi, Saif al-Islam or any other member of Libya's government."
Reader views (8)
Surprise, surprise.
Clegg will cling onto office in order to further imitate Blair and now we are getting some evidence as to the possible reasons why.
Clegg, just like at Xmas and New Year is away on holiday at this particular time. It's so nice of him to get back to Whitehall to help Donald Duck Haque try to get planes to fly to Libya to rescue Brits in potential danger.
Oh I forgot, he needs to top up his dayglow tan.
- Concerned Observer, Harrow, 23/02/2011 18:08
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Rogan, Irving, --- This is a non-story.
Really, and yet you are only too ready to respond to to this no-story. I take it you are not very busy right now. Its amazing the amount of people who feel the need to respond to non- stories. We all know where you are coming from Rogan, if the lady in question had been the wife of a labour minister it would have been a huge story, wouldn't it? You are so transparent I can almost see you from here.
- Jimmy, Camden London, 23/02/2011 12:58
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Blair Brown Gaddaffi Awesome Threesome of disrepute
- rossnhoj, stockwood, 23/02/2011 12:40
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Wow! Talk about 'reaching' for a story....
Unless and until her office, and by the obvious implication intended, she herself, have been involved in the nastiness that's going on right now, this is a non-story. Guilt by (fairly distant) association is sensationalism, nothing more.
- Rogan, Irving, 22/02/2011 20:06
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Small world innit.
- stuart, chesterfield,derbyshire, 22/02/2011 17:36
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Here's a pointless issue being created when none exists.
UK trades with Libya. UK ministers and Prime ministers (BLiar etc) visit Libya. UK Firms are involved in Libya. What's the point of highlightling the fact that Clegg's wife's employer advised Libya on legal issues? Perhaps it's a good thing that Libya gets legal advice.
What is this article trying to say? Nothing really! That's what.
- Tom, London, 22/02/2011 16:00
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No, Liebour should really keep their heads down on this one, did they not sanction the release of the nearly dead Libyan bomber, plus the dreaded implication of the Human Rights laws, which was taken on by one Ms Bliar and her chambers to earn shed loads of money from.
- terry, london, 22/02/2011 14:56
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Labour have absolutely no right of comment on this one.
We all knew the contempt that Clegg has for the people of this country, seems that is extended to the Europeans also!
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 22/02/2011 14:08
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