DEPUTY Prime Minister Nick Clegg was beset by NHS anti-privatisation campaigners as he held an election meeting in his Sheffield Hallam constituency on Thursday night.

Protesters organised by The People’s NHS picketed the event, demanding he oppose privatisation of the NHS and account for his backing of Tory austerity.

They also demanded the Lib Dem leader sign The People’s NHS pledge, calling for the NHS to be excluded from the pro-profiteer Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the US and the European Union.

TTIP could allow transnational companies to take over NHS services even if the government opposed it.

Hundreds of “Stop the Sale” posters are being distributed to Hallam voters to be displayed as the election approaches.

Mr Clegg is also under pressure from students at Sheffield’s two universities for his betrayal over huge increases in tuition fees.