Tempers fray in expenses vote as Labour MP tells George Osbourne to '**** off'

In one exchange, Labour MP Ian Austin - a close aide to Gordon Brown - is said to have told Shadow Chancellor George Osborne to 'f*** off, you toff'.

And in another spat, a female Labour MP allegedly made a derogatory remark to Tory leader David Cameron.

Ian Austin, Labour MP for Dudley North, allegedly called George Osborne (left) a toff

Last night the Tories claimed that Mr Austin, a veteran bruiser and the Prime Minister's right-hand man, swore at Mr Osborne and called him a 'toff' in the division lobby.

Mr Austin, parliamentary private secretary to Mr Brown, vigorously denied that account but admitted referring to Mr Osborne -heir to the Osborne and Little wallpapaer fortune - as a 'multi-millionaire'.

The exchange captured the high tension surrounding the issue of second homes allowances.

Many Labour MPs with minimal financial resources outside the Commons believe it is easier for wealthy Tories like Mr Cameron and Mr Osborne to take a stand.

According to sources close to the shadow Chancellor, he was goaded by Mr Austin and fellow Labour whip Tommy McEvoy saying to colleagues preparing to vote: 'Come this way comrades.'

Mr Austin is then alleged to have said to Mr Osborne: 'You should come and join us.'

Under the Tory version of events the exchange then went:

Mr Osborne: 'What you are doing is a complete disgrace.'

Mr Austin: 'F*** off you toff.'

Mr Osborne: 'You are in this mess because your Government is so useless.'

But Mr Austin disputed that version and insisted he had been talking to Mr McEvoy and said as an aside 'It's OK for the multi- millionaires.'

He told the Daily Mail last night: 'I did not swear at him, I promise. And although I think he is a toff, I didn't say he was one.

All I did was refer to him as a multi-millionaire.'

A Tory spokesperson confirmed that the incident was not about to be taken any further by the Conservatives but said: 'It was a shabby episode during an evening of shabby behaviour.'

Meanwhile, in a separate incident another Labour MP is said to have been involved in a bitter exchange with Mr Cameron.