Cameron ridicules Brown’s ‘terminal decline’ from power

As the pair swapped insults in one of the most vitriolic Prime Minister's Questions sessions for years, the Tory leader taunted Mr Brown that the Government was in "terminal decline".

Mr Cameron launched a series of personal attacks on the premier, declaring that his judgment on the economy, Gurkhas and MPs' expenses were proof he was no longer fit to lead the nation.

Teasing Mr Brown over criticism from Communities Secretary Hazel Blears, he pointed out that even the Cabinet were unhappy at attempts to reconnect with voters.

Mr Brown hit back, claiming the Conservative leader was "out of his depth" on the major issues facing the country such as how to fight the recession.

But the Prime Minister's authority was ridiculed by a string of Tory backbenchers. He even appeared at one point to confirm speculation that he had angrily thrown a computer printer off a desk at No 10. Aides later suggested Mr Brown had not understood the question put to him by Tory MP Stephen Crabbe.

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg was equally scathing, declaring "there comes a point when stubbornness isn't leadership, it's stupidity". When jeered by Labour ministers, he retorted: "At least I say it to his face. You say it behind his back."

The Conservatives made clear their main electoral weapon will be to portray Mr Brown as a figure of fun and backbenchers ridiculed his YouTube appearance and his alleged rages in Downing Street, including claims that he throws mobile phones at staff.

Mr Brown faced a further challenge to his authority when four ministerial aides today went public with warnings about the plans to partially privatise the Royal Mail.

And in a fresh retreat, he was today forced to agree a meeting with Joanna Lumley to discuss the rights of Gurkha veterans. Senior Labour backbencher Keith Vaz claimed that Cabinet rivalries led to the Government's humiliating Commons defeat over the issue last week. Mr Vaz pointed to a clash between Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and Defence Secretary John Hutton for turning the issue into a PR disaster.

With many MPs counting down to a general election next May, Mr Cameron signalled that Mr Brown's personality would be central to the campaign.

The Tory leader said the big issue in politics today was that "the man who is meant to be leading our country shows such appalling judgment."