The Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg (pictured) has come under fire for asking the Education Secretary to fund a charity, which has been supported by his wife.

The Booktrust announced last week that it will receive £6m in 2013/14 and £6m in 2014/15 to deliver its existing book-gifting programmes, and to develop a new programme targeted at disadvantaged two-year-olds.

Announcing the funding, Booktrust chief executive Viv Bird said: “I am grateful to ministers for this vote of confidence in the work of Booktrust and their recognition of the importance of reading for pleasure.”

On Saturday the Daily Mail reported a Whitehall insider as saying: “There was unease at the way it appeared Mr Clegg wanted special treatment for Booktrust.”

The newspaper also reported leaked emails from Matt Sanders, a member of Clegg’s team, asking education officials to commit to funding for Booktrust, without making the charity compete with others, and mentioning Clegg’s wife’s support of the organisation.

In the autumn Miriam Gonzalez Durantez (Clegg’s wife) hosted a reception for the charity at Lancaster House.

Conservative MP Peter Bone is writing to the Cabinet Secretary Jeremy Heywood asking for an investigation into the claims, and Labour MP John Mann has demanded publication of the emails in question as part of a full inquiry.

‘Smears and innuendo’

Nick Clegg’s office has denied any wrongdoing and insisted that the decision to award funding to the charity was taken by the Education Secretary, Michael Gove.

A spokesman for Clegg said: “The decision to continue the funding for Booktrust was made by the Prime Minister and the Education Secretary because it is the only organisation capable of delivering children's books and literacy support on this scale, on this budget.

“Any suggestion that Miriam's support for the charity influenced that decision is obviously without foundation.

“Miriam has no role with the charity, beyond being supportive of its excellent work and having hosted a reception for the organisation. It is a great pity that Miriam is apparently unable to offer her support to a charity without some newspapers resorting to these kinds of smears and innuendo.”

A spokeswoman for the Department for Education declined to comment.