Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg confused himself and the world yesterday when he said that Ched Evans should not have been allowed to return to training with Sheffield United this week but can return after spending time abroad.

Mr Clegg, a Sheffield MP, said it if it was up to him he would not allow the convicted rapist to return to the club after spending half of a five-year sentence in prison.

But in a confusing twist, the Liberal Democrat leader would allow the Welsh striker to play football again in this country but only after playing abroad first.

Previously, Mr Clegg warned Sheffield United to think “long and hard” before deciding whether to allow him to return to the Blades due to the fact Evans as a footballer would be seen as a role model.

Speaking yesterday, he said: “Footballers are not just any old employee, they are obviously athletes but they are role models and a lot of kids look up to them.

“This is an incredibly serious offence, a very serious offence for which he has been convicted and that’s what sets this apart.

“If it was me, I wouldn’t take him on.

“He maybe could play for a club abroad for a while before coming back.”

Explaining his reasons, Mr Clegg confirmed who he was talking about and what he would do if he had to make the decision. He said: “I wouldn’t, me, personally, Nick Clegg, because football stars play such an important role in the community where their clubs are supported, they are looked up to as role models.

“I wouldn’t, but the reason I have constantly said the football club has got to think long and hard about this, is I also want to protect the football club’s right to take their own decisions.

“If it was entirely for me, just because of the status of football stars, I wouldn’t.”

Mr Clegg went on to add: “The point is he played for Sheffield United when the offence took place and when he was convicted, so there is a very particular decision for the club that had him on their books when he committed that offence.

“Of course people need to move on in their lives and of course when you have done your time, you have done your time.

“I think there’s a very specific responsibility for the employer that employed him at the time he committed the offence and, given that he is a role model, as I know as a Sheffield MP, in the community for United supporters.”

Campaigners against sexual violence have criticised the Blades for allowing the 25-year-old footballer to regain his fitness following his release from prison after serving half of a five-year term.