UK deputy PM under fire over cooking show

British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has brushed off criticism for appearing on a TV cookery program during the international crises over Ukraine and Gaza.

Clegg has come under fire for his appearance on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch, with one Lib Dem activist quoted in the national press as saying: "As the world burned, Nick Clegg cooked."

But the Liberal Democrat leader said the show - during which he made an avocado cake and enjoyed a tequila tasting - gave him an opportunity to reach out to voters.

Asked at a regular Whitehall press conference about his participation, Clegg said: "It's a show which is watched by lots and lots of people, lots of young people.

"We talked about Ukraine, we talked about politics, we talked about government policies.

"I think it's important for politicians to get through to people who care about what is going on in the world as much as anyone else.

"Is the suggestion that people who watch Sunday Brunch don't care about Ukraine? That's not my experience.

"I think it's right to always reach out to people as best we can."