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Clegg not aware of Tory EU 'immigration brake' proposal Clegg not aware of Tory EU 'immigration brake' proposal
(about 1 hour later)
Conservative ministers have "never breathed a word" in government about reported plans for an "emergency brake" on EU immigration, Nick Clegg has said.Conservative ministers have "never breathed a word" in government about reported plans for an "emergency brake" on EU immigration, Nick Clegg has said.
David Cameron is considering demanding the power to block new arrivals from some EU states if they rise above a certain level, according to The Times.David Cameron is considering demanding the power to block new arrivals from some EU states if they rise above a certain level, according to The Times.
Mr Clegg dismissed the story as another sign of the "blind panic" the Tories were in over UKIP.Mr Clegg dismissed the story as another sign of the "blind panic" the Tories were in over UKIP.
"No Conservative has ever put any proposal to me," said Mr Clegg on LBC."No Conservative has ever put any proposal to me," said Mr Clegg on LBC.
According to The Times story, which is attributed to government sources, the prime minister has promised backbench Conservative MPs a "game changing" announcement on immigration, which would "almost certainly" come before Christmas.
Some Conservative MPs are understood to be pushing for the announcement to be made before the Rochester and Strood by-election, triggered by the defection of Conservative MP Mark Reckless to UKIP, on 20 November, at which immigration is expected to be a major factor.
'Complete flap'
Among the "radical" options being considered by the government is an "emergency brake" on immigration from some EU countries, according to the Times.
The Sun newspaper goes further, saying Mr Cameron will "demand the right to limit European immigration" as the "price of staying in the EU".
But it says details of the proposed restrictions - which could involve caps on arrivals from certain countries or an "Australian-style" points system - have yet to be finalised.
Asked about the newspaper reports on his weekly LBC radio phone-in, Mr Clegg said: "The Conservative Party is in such a blind panic, a complete flap, about UKIP that every day I wake up to new headlines.
"No Conservative has ever put any proposal to me. They have never breathed a word of it government. Who knows? Maybe the press briefing they issue tomorrow will be different."
He added: "I think the Conservative Party have got a fundamental problem. They are running after UKIP in a complete panic."
'Increased numbers'
Mr Cameron is under pressure from Conservative MPs to set out details of his strategy for renegotiating the relationship with Brussels ahead of a promised 2017 in/out referendum if the party remains in power after next year's general election.
In his speech to the Conservative Party conference, Mr Cameron said: "Numbers that have increased faster than we in this country wanted…at a level that was too much for our communities, for our labour markets. All of this has to change - and it will be at the very heart of my renegotiation strategy for Europe.
"Britain, I know you want this sorted so I will go to Brussels, I will not take no for an answer and when it comes to free movement - I will get what Britain needs."
But Mr Cameron has declined to state whether he would be prepared to back a British exit if he does not get the concessions he wants, insisting he is confident of success in the negotiations.