When David Cameron appointed him Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg was handed a well-appointed office in Whitehall and the keys to Chevening, a 115-room country house. There are, however, some things which his title cannot win.
Mandrake can disclose that the Liberal Democrat leader and his wife, Miriam González Durántez, have been shunned by the tennis club just around the corner from their home in south-west London.
David Halls, the manager of the Putney Lawn Tennis Club, confirms that he spoke to Clegg about his competing in the “playings”, the sessions which help to decide who can join.
“He spoke to me about taking part in our playings, but he did not then apply formally to join,” Halls says, carefully. “Nobody gets automatic membership. The playings are not the only way in which we decide who can join. The club committee meets to discuss other criteria, but I am not at liberty to discuss what they are.”