EU Membership Debate Has British Deputy Prime Minister Concerned

Says uncertainty could have a negative impact

Nick Clegg has warned his coalition partner that a prolonged period of uncertainty over British membership of the EU will have a chilling effect on jobs and growth, saying that "an arcane debate" about UK's relationship with the EU could go on for years and years.

He also insisted that leaflets produced by the Liberal Democrats offering an in-or-out referendum produced before the election were superseded by his party's manifesto promise to offer a referendum only if there was a transfer of power to Brussels.