DEPUTY Prime Minster Nick Clegg got a cold on-air blast yesterday over the coalition’s inaction on air pollution.

On his weekly LBC radio show Mr Clegg was asked whether, following warnings this week advising vulnerable people to stay indoors due to smog, he supported the call for a public inquiry into the issue.

The Lib Dem leader said he was not in favour of an inquiry as it would be costly and take a long time to complete.

But the Campaign for Air Pollution Public Inquiry’s Dave Davies responded: “I had asked Nick Clegg the same question on LBC two years ago when he wrote to me saying the same thing that he has said today — that he acknowledged that this was a serious issue and was keen to take action.

“However in the two years since there has been no effective action taken by the Deputy Prime Minister or the government, which means that tens of thousands of people continue to die each year from air pollution.”

Labour MP John McDonnell added: “Given the critically high levels of air pollution in London this week, it is clear we need a public inquiry now more than ever.”