Britain's Deputy PM apology video becomes hit spoof song

LONDON (AFP) - British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg gave permission on Thursday for a parody remix of a public apology that he made over university fees to go on sale on iTunes, with proceeds going to charity.

The autotuned remix of the deputy prime minister's video apology, created by satirical website The Poke, became a social media hit on Thursday morning, at one point trending on Twitter.

The Poke said it wanted to release it as a charity single and Mr Clegg responded: "Permission granted, but all proceeds to @SheffChildrens please," referring to Sheffield Children's Hospital in northern England.

Clegg made the rare public apology for breaking the Liberal Democrat party's promise to block increases in university fees on Wednesday as he sought to claw back dwindling support ahead of the party conference starting this weekend.