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Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg faces a lobbying row after his party sold access to Cabinet ministers at their conference.

Public affairs firms and big business clients who want to sway the Government can pay £960 a head to join “round table policy discussions” on “Corporate Day”.

They can also fork out £420 to attend a business dinner with senior party figures “for a critical insight into Liberal Democrat Business policies and plans for the future of the British economy”.

Both events include invites to an “informative and exclusive drinks reception” with the influential Coalition Business Secretary Vince Cable.

Tamasin Cave, of the Campaign for Lobbying Transparency, said: “This is access for sale on a grand scale.

“You can have a quiet word if you are willing to pay. It exposes the scandal at the heart of our politics.”

She was speaking after Mr Clegg’s close ally David Laws boasted that people are flocking to lobby ministers at the Glasgow gathering which starts today.

The Education minister said the conference offered a twin attraction because the Coalition was still coming up with fresh policies and the Lib Dems were also starting to write the election manifesto.

He said: “I’m beginning to have discussions with people where for the first time in the Parliament they are wanting to talk about both issues.

“They are saying we are very interested in things going on in Government but actually can we have a separate conversation about manifesto ideas?”

Mr Clegg has talked tough on lobbying, insisting Lib Dems would ensure the £2billion industry is regulated and made more transparent.

But the Deputy PM has not been involved in the new regulations going through Parliament because his wife works for a public affairs firm.

Ms Cave said the register the coalition has come up with is worse than useless because lobbyists will not have to reveal what they do for their clients.

She added: “Paying lobbyists will be able to thank Lib Dem ministers in person for botching the new rules for lobbyists.

“Lobbyists will carry on having influence in secret, while the public remain in the dark over who has the ear of politicians.

"It is shameful. No one should be under any illusion Lib Dems will stand up to the industry.”

A Lib Dem spokesman said: “Events like this are forums for many people across different sectors to learn more about the work of the Liberal Democrats.

“We want to work with businesses to create jobs and help the economy grow.

"There are no one-on-one sessions and no private access to ministers.”