Clegg 'looking forward' to billionaire's report

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said yesterday he was looking forward to seeing the report of billionaire Topshop owner Sir Philip Green, who has been recruited by David Cameron to lead a review of government spending.

Mr Clegg was asked during a constituency visit whether he thought Sir Philip was the "right man" for this job given the "row" which has surrounded the appointment.

Defending the decision to recruit the businessman, he said: "He's going to come in for a few weeks. He's doing a very short piece of work to see how money was spent in the past and how it can be spent better in the future.

"Like everybody, I'm looking forward to seeing his report."

The Government announced last week that Sir Philip, owner of clothing retailer Arcadia Group, will scrutinise expenditure from the past three years to try to identify where savings can be made. The conclusions from the external review will feed into the Comprehensive Spending Review due to be completed in October.

Sir Philip, 58, will be supported by a team of civil servants and report to Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude and Chief Treasury Secretary Danny Alexander.

Sir Philip owns more than 2,000 shops in the UK, including the BHS and Topshop chains. His empire is estimated to make up about 12 per cent of the UK's clothing retail market.

His appointment by Mr Cameron provoked controversy when some commentators and even Lib Dem MPs questioned Sir Philip's tax affairs.