Nick Clegg today seized on a visit to London by US vice-president Joe Biden to insist that Britain must stay in the European Union.
The Deputy Prime Minister went into an hour of one-to-one talks with Barack Obama’s deputy covering the joint military operation in Afghanistan and hopes of a US-European trade deal.
Sources revealed that he was taking the opportunity to discuss “wider European issues” including the referendum on EU membership promised by David Cameron, which the Liberal Democrats oppose.
Mr Biden was going on to talks with Mr Cameron and a meeting of the National Security Council. Mr Clegg hailed his guest as “a real friend of the UK” and paid tribute to American soldiers “fighting bravely together” with the British military.
Mr Biden has already put on record that Washington wants Britain to be a strong member of the European Union and not pull out. A source close to Nick Clegg said: “This will be an excellent opportunity for the Deputy Prime Minister to discuss wider European issues with the vice-president.
“The American administration is already on the record as supporting a strong UK in a strong Europe — a view wholeheartedly shared by Nick.”
Mr Clegg said the Government was pushing hard for a comprehensive free trade deal between America and Europe on a quick timetable. “UK exporters could save £1 billion in tariff payments each year — a welcome boost to businesses across the country,” he said.
