<p><br /> Nick Clegg has laughed off rumours that one of his predecessors as Liberal Democrat leader is defecting to Labour.<br /> </p><p><br /> The Deputy Prime Minister said the suggestion that Charles Kennedy was quitting in protest at the coalition deal was the "silliest of silly-season stories".<br /> </p><p><br /> The long-serving MP is believed to be upset over the policy compromises made to form the alliance with the Tories, and especially the deep spending cuts that have been proposed.<br /> </p><p><br /> He refused to endorse the coalition deal when it was put to a vote of the parliamentary party in May, preferring a tie-up with Labour.<br /> </p><p><br /> Mr Clegg said he had received an email from Mr Kennedy reassuring him there was no basis to the rumours.<br /> </p><p><br /> He said: "I can't do better than say what Charles has said which is that it's the silliest of the silly-season stories. It's just nonsense so I'm not going to waste any more time on it."<br /> </p>
