Should Nick Clegg declare a conflict of interest?

Nick Clegg worked as an M.E.P. for just under five years before entering British national politics. As a result of that position, he 'earned' a pension worth up to £6,000 a year which is more than the basic UK pension that it can take a lifetime of work to earn. More troubling it seems that EU pensions are paid only if the recipient does nothing to harm the interests of the European Union. According to Article 213 of the Treaty establishing the European Community (my emphasis):

'The Members of the Commission shall, in the general interest of the Community, be completely independent in the performance of their duties.

In the performance of these duties, they shall neither seek nor take instructions from any government or from any other body. They shall refrain from any action incompatible with their duties. Each Member State undertakes to respect this principle and not to seek to influence the Members of the Commission in the performance of their tasks.

The Members of the Commission may not, during their term of office, engage in any other occupation, whether gainful or not. When entering upon their duties they shall give a solemn undertaking that, both during and after their term of office, they will respect the obligations arising therefrom and in particular their duty to behave with integrity and discretion as regards the acceptance, after they have ceased to hold office, of certain appointments or benefits. In the event of any breach of these obligations, the Court of Justice may, on application by the Council or the Commission, rule that the Member concerned be, according to the circumstances, either compulsorily retired in accordance with Article 216 or deprived of his right to a pension or other benefits in its stead.'

Do the same provisions apply to MEP's pensions? If so shouldn't Nick Clegg declare his conflict of interest between the interests of the United Kingdom and the European Union?

'In the year between May 12 2010, when the Coalition took over, and April 30 this year, Chris Huhne spent £46,194 on taxis and private hire vehicles.'

In the year between May 12 2010, when the Coalition took over, and April 30 this year, Chris Huhne spent £46,194 on taxis and private hire vehicles.

Read more in The Mail

What more need be said about this willing eco-nut who is willing to restrict the plebs use of power and creation of CO2 , apparently so long as he keeps the perks of power for himself. It odd how every time I see a picture or video of Chris Huhne arriving or departing, he is getting into or out of a governmet issue Toyota Pious Prius. Yet he manages to spend £46,194 of our money on taxis and private hire vehicles.

Some questions for Vince Cable

Most of the media, especially the BBC with articles like this one, seem to be concerned with Vince Cable's disquiet over being secretly recorded, they seem relatively unconcerned by what he said and the implications of what he said.

So here are some questions for Vince Cable that he might care to answer:

1) You were recorded saying that you had "declared war" on Rupert Murdoch, was that a true reflection of your position on this matter or were you lying to your 'constituents'?

2) If this was a true reflection of your position then were you planning on declaring this position before or after you decided on Rupert Murdoch's takeover of BSkyB, or were you going to make a quasi-legal decision from a position of prejudged bias?

3) How do you reconcile your then role as independent arbiter on a major financial takeover with your declared position of being at war with one of the parties? Do you consider that position reasonable or moral?

4) Are there any other businesses, UK based or otherwise, that you consider you have declared war on?