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Clegg 'does not believe in God' Clegg 'does not believe in God'
(30 minutes later)
New Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has said "no" when asked on BBC radio if he believed in God. New Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has answered "no" when asked on BBC radio if he believed in God.
The rapid-fire question and answer format on 5 Live meant the 40-year-old did not have the chance to elaborate.The rapid-fire question and answer format on 5 Live meant the 40-year-old did not have the chance to elaborate.
Mr Clegg, who is promising a "new kind of politics", was also asked if he had taken illegal drugs - replying that he preferred to "cast a veil" over it. He later said he had "enormous respect for people who have religious faith", that is wife is Catholic and that his children are being brought up Catholic.
Last month, Tony Blair said he avoided talking about religion while he was PM for fear of being called a "nutter". Last month, former PM Tony Blair said he had not talked much about this faith for fear of being labelled a "nutter".
ReshuffleReshuffle
The interview with Mr Clegg, MP for Sheffield Hallam, came ahead of a reshuffle of the Lib Dem frontbench team expected over the next few days. The radio interview with Mr Clegg, MP for Sheffield Hallam, came ahead of a reshuffle of the Lib Dem frontbench team expected over the next few days.
Asked whether he had ever taken illegal drugs, he replied: "I'm going to cast a veil over that. It's the one thing I agree with David Cameron on. I think politicians are entitled to a private life before they go into politics."Asked whether he had ever taken illegal drugs, he replied: "I'm going to cast a veil over that. It's the one thing I agree with David Cameron on. I think politicians are entitled to a private life before they go into politics."
If politics is going to solve the problems of people's everyday lives, we need to listen to people Nick CleggLib Dem leaderIf politics is going to solve the problems of people's everyday lives, we need to listen to people Nick CleggLib Dem leader
In another interview, Mr Clegg told BBC One's Breakfast "What I am interested in is projecting the message of optimism, of energy and ambition that I think all party members now want me to project on their behalf." And asked if he believed in God, he said: "No."
And Mr Clegg was joined on his first day in the job by musician Brian Eno, who he has brought in as an adviser on how to "reach out beyond Westminster to people who don't get a say in politics". In later comments to the BBC News website, Mr Cameron added: "I have enormous respect for people who have religious faith, I'm married to a Catholic and am committed to bringing my children up as Catholics.
"However, I myself am not an active believer, but the last thing I would do when talking or thinking about religion is approach it with a closed heart or a closed mind."
Mr Clegg was joined on his first day in the job by musician Brian Eno, whom he has brought in as an adviser on how to "reach out beyond Westminster to people who don't get a say in politics".
Mr Clegg said: "I will fight for a society where everyone gets a fair chance in life, and no-one is condemned by the circumstances of their birth.Mr Clegg said: "I will fight for a society where everyone gets a fair chance in life, and no-one is condemned by the circumstances of their birth.
"Education has got to be front and centre of Britain's agenda if we're going to make that happen. So I will raise funding for the poorest children to the levels in private schools."Education has got to be front and centre of Britain's agenda if we're going to make that happen. So I will raise funding for the poorest children to the levels in private schools.
"And every family must be free from poverty, and feel they have a voice, and a stake, in Britain today.""And every family must be free from poverty, and feel they have a voice, and a stake, in Britain today."
'People's politics''People's politics'
Mr Clegg added: "That requires a new kind of politics - a people's politics. If politics is going to solve the problems of people's everyday lives, we need to listen to people, and act on what they say."Mr Clegg added: "That requires a new kind of politics - a people's politics. If politics is going to solve the problems of people's everyday lives, we need to listen to people, and act on what they say."
Last month, Mr Blair told the BBC his Christian faith had been "hugely important" to his premiership, but that he had been wary of discussing it in case he was labelled a "nutter".Last month, Mr Blair told the BBC his Christian faith had been "hugely important" to his premiership, but that he had been wary of discussing it in case he was labelled a "nutter".
His ex-spokesman Alastair Campbell once told reporters: "We don't do God."His ex-spokesman Alastair Campbell once told reporters: "We don't do God."
Current Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the son of a church minister, is also a Christian who has spoken of his father's advice acting as his "moral compass".Current Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the son of a church minister, is also a Christian who has spoken of his father's advice acting as his "moral compass".
Mr Clegg, an MP since 2005, beat Chris Huhne to the Lib Dem leadership by 20,988 votes to 20,477 - a margin of just 511.Mr Clegg, an MP since 2005, beat Chris Huhne to the Lib Dem leadership by 20,988 votes to 20,477 - a margin of just 511.
Mr Clegg's election follows a two-month contest caused by the resignation of Sir Menzies Campbell.Mr Clegg's election follows a two-month contest caused by the resignation of Sir Menzies Campbell.