NICK CLEGG resorted to smearing organised workers yesterday as he desperately tried to distract attention from speculation that he could lose his Sheffield Hallam constituency in May.

Labour big-hitter Tom Watson told the Times that party candidate Oliver Coppard’s team had “never encountered such animosity on the doorstep against an incumbent MP — particularly one as high-profile.”

Mr Watson had reportedly tried to convince author Owen Jones to take on the Deputy PM at next year’s general election.

Mr Clegg attempted yesterday to brush off speculation that his 15,000 majority was in jeopardy.

“Other than Tom Watson ostentatiously knocking on a couple of doors in Crookes one afternoon, we haven’t seen much evidence of Labour making progress in Sheffield Hallam,” his spokesman said.

“A total reliance on big money from the trade unions and nasty, personalised attacks are not going to win over the people of Sheffield Hallam.”

A Lord Ashcroft poll put Mr Clegg just 3 per cent ahead of Labour last month.