Labour forced to apologise to Sheffield MP Nick Clegg

A letter was sent to Labour members in Sheffield Hallam retracting allegations that the former deputy prime minister had been paid to deliver speeches to companies in the arms industry.

The letter from Sheffield Hallam Labour's executive said: "You recently received a personal fundraising letter from Sheffield Hallam Labour Party which made allegations about Nick Clegg and connections to weapons companies.

"These allegations were wholly untrue and defamatory and contrast sharply with his public statements calling for greater regulation of arms sales.

"We regret any damage and embarrassment caused to Nick Clegg's reputation by this letter and we are glad to have this opportunity to correct the record and to apologise to Mr Clegg."

The allegations were made in a letter urging Labour members to donate money to help the party's campaign to unseat Mr Clegg in Sheffield Hallam.

Mr Clegg held off a strong challenge from Labour at the 2015 General Election when his majority was cut from 15,284 to 2,353.

The Lib Dems enjoyed a significant success last year when the party won a Sheffield City Council seat from Labour in the Mosborough ward by-election.

The Labour Party and Mr Clegg both declined to comment.