Clegg claims EU ‘key’ to Siemens deal

Nick Clegg has warned the massive investment deal agreed with Siemens that will bring thousands of new jobs to Yorkshire would never have been approved if Britain were on the brink of leaving the EU.

Siemens announced on Tuesday it will make the Humber its new centre for the production of thousands of offshore wind turbines, opening factories at Alexandra Dock in Hull and Paull in the East Riding.

The Deputy Prime Minister told MPs yesterday: “There is absolutely no way that a multinational such as Siemens would invest that amount of money if we were on the brink of pulling out of the European Union single market.

“I have been in several discussions with Siemens board members, as have many members of the Government, to persuade them to make that decision, and I am delighted that they have finally done so. It is a triumph not only for Hull, but for the Humber area more generally.”

Last night Mr Clegg took part in the first of two head-to-head debates with Ukip leader Nigel Farage over Britain’s future within the EU.

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