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Cathy Newman's phone-in ambush of Nick Clegg – was it luck or design? Cathy Newman's phone-in ambush of Nick Clegg – was it luck or design?
(7 months later)
When Channel 4 News presenter Cathy Newman telephoned Nick Clegg on his LBC phone-in show on Wednesday morning to challenge him over what he knew about former Lib Dem chief executive Lord Rennard, the presenter Nick Ferrari was as surprised as the deputy prime minister.When Channel 4 News presenter Cathy Newman telephoned Nick Clegg on his LBC phone-in show on Wednesday morning to challenge him over what he knew about former Lib Dem chief executive Lord Rennard, the presenter Nick Ferrari was as surprised as the deputy prime minister.
Newman, who broke the story about allegations of sexual impropriety against Rennard - which he denies – rang the London radio station's phone-in, introducing herself as "Cathy from Dulwich".Newman, who broke the story about allegations of sexual impropriety against Rennard - which he denies – rang the London radio station's phone-in, introducing herself as "Cathy from Dulwich".
After her name was read out by Clegg – who introduces some of the callers on the show – she revealed: "It's Cathy Newman from Channel 4 News. I'm what you might call a self-appointed detective."After her name was read out by Clegg – who introduces some of the callers on the show – she revealed: "It's Cathy Newman from Channel 4 News. I'm what you might call a self-appointed detective."
The station, which is owned by Global Radio, said the show's producers were not aware of the caller's identity when she rang.The station, which is owned by Global Radio, said the show's producers were not aware of the caller's identity when she rang.
"LBC, Channel 4, gosh my head is spinning with the number of media outlets involved here," said Clegg. "Anyone can ring in," said Ferrari, who interrupted to double check, "Cathy from Channel 4?""LBC, Channel 4, gosh my head is spinning with the number of media outlets involved here," said Clegg. "Anyone can ring in," said Ferrari, who interrupted to double check, "Cathy from Channel 4?"
Newman said she would "love to do an interview" with Clegg – he chose not to respond to the offer – but had to make do with one question.Newman said she would "love to do an interview" with Clegg – he chose not to respond to the offer – but had to make do with one question.
"At the weekend you said Lord Rennard quit on health grounds. Now you appear to be accepting his behaviour was part of the reason he went," she asked."At the weekend you said Lord Rennard quit on health grounds. Now you appear to be accepting his behaviour was part of the reason he went," she asked.
Clegg replied: "He left on health grounds, but of course the issues of his inappropriate behaviour were in the background, of course they were."Clegg replied: "He left on health grounds, but of course the issues of his inappropriate behaviour were in the background, of course they were."
Ferrari told MediaGuardian he had no idea it was the Channel 4 presenter calling, and a spokesman for Global Radio said producers were none the wiser either, although it was surely more than just luck that Newman got through.Ferrari told MediaGuardian he had no idea it was the Channel 4 presenter calling, and a spokesman for Global Radio said producers were none the wiser either, although it was surely more than just luck that Newman got through.
"I just read it as Cathy from Dulwich, without having time to think about it," said Ferrari. "In all honesty, I don't think [Clegg] was overjoyed, but I don't remember his exact choice of words.""I just read it as Cathy from Dulwich, without having time to think about it," said Ferrari. "In all honesty, I don't think [Clegg] was overjoyed, but I don't remember his exact choice of words."
Asked whether it meant the weekly phone-in would now be inundated with journalists keen to put questions to Clegg, he was unwilling to answerl. In another forum, Ferrari said: "Let's worry about that when it happens. When we've got Jon Snow, Huw Edwards and Mark Austin ringing in on a regular basis, then we will worry about it."Asked whether it meant the weekly phone-in would now be inundated with journalists keen to put questions to Clegg, he was unwilling to answerl. In another forum, Ferrari said: "Let's worry about that when it happens. When we've got Jon Snow, Huw Edwards and Mark Austin ringing in on a regular basis, then we will worry about it."
A spokeswoman for Channel 4 News said Newman, the show's former political editor who was elevated to its presenting team 15 months ago, had been swamped with requests for interviews since Wednesday morning's call, but was too busy working on tonight's Channel 4 News to respond.A spokeswoman for Channel 4 News said Newman, the show's former political editor who was elevated to its presenting team 15 months ago, had been swamped with requests for interviews since Wednesday morning's call, but was too busy working on tonight's Channel 4 News to respond.
Newman wasn't the only high-profile caller to Wednesday's show (which has previously featured an inquiry by London mayor Boris Johnson).Newman wasn't the only high-profile caller to Wednesday's show (which has previously featured an inquiry by London mayor Boris Johnson).
Former deputy prime minister Lord Prescott, in a tweet read out by Ferrari, wrote: "Can you ask Nick Clegg why as deputy prime minister he has 15 special advisers costing £1m, I, this is Prescott speaking, only had two. Even Jesus capped it at 12."Former deputy prime minister Lord Prescott, in a tweet read out by Ferrari, wrote: "Can you ask Nick Clegg why as deputy prime minister he has 15 special advisers costing £1m, I, this is Prescott speaking, only had two. Even Jesus capped it at 12."
Prescott later contacted Newman on Twitter, telling her: "Got a present for you" – a picture of a "private detective" badge.Prescott later contacted Newman on Twitter, telling her: "Got a present for you" – a picture of a "private detective" badge.
"Ha ha love it," responded Newman. Almost as much as LBC, which has reaped no end of free publicity with the weekly phone-ins to the deputy prime minister which began on 10 January."Ha ha love it," responded Newman. Almost as much as LBC, which has reaped no end of free publicity with the weekly phone-ins to the deputy prime minister which began on 10 January.
The morning shows have revealed, among other things, Clegg's ownership of a "onesie" and prompted his admission that he would consider sending his oldest son to a private school.The morning shows have revealed, among other things, Clegg's ownership of a "onesie" and prompted his admission that he would consider sending his oldest son to a private school.
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