News from Sheffield Labour

Clegg fails to apologise for Cameron’s insult to Forgemasters

Speaking in the House of Commons on Wednesday, Sheffield Central MP Paul Blomfield called on Deputy Prime Minister and Sheffield Hallam MP Nick Clegg to apologise to Sheffield Forgemasters for remarks made by the Prime Minister David Cameron the previous day. Mr Blomfield accused the Prime Minister of “impugning the integrity of shareholders” at Forgemasters.

In the House of Commons on Monday 21st, the Prime Minister David Cameron backed the decision to scrap the £80 million loan to Forgemasters and said “look at the shareholder structure of that organisation to see who would really benefit from that not very well thought through piece of financial engineering”.

Earlier this week Paul Blomfield described the comments as “impugning the integrity of shareholders” and pointed out that the Treasury’s loan agreement had ensured that the public interest was protected. During a debate on the emergency budget Mr Blomfield challenged Mr Clegg and called on the Sheffield Hallam MP “to apologise to Sheffield Forgemasters on behalf of the Prime Minister.” Mr Clegg failed to apologise.

After the debate, Paul Blomfield MP said:

“The Government are looking for excuses for their devastating decision. First they blamed the Labour Government. Now they’re blaming the company. They should apologise without delay for this insult and review their decision not to support Forgemasters in creating new jobs.”

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