Cameron lashes Brown over election

It came as the leaders clashed angrily over scrapping an early election and claims of poaching policies for the Government's mini-budget.

Mr Cameron urged Mr Brown to "discover a bit of bottle" and call an election, adding: "He's treating the British people like fools."

The Conservative leader demanded to know whether the draft of Tuesday's pre-budget report had contained proposals on inheritance tax and non-domiciled residents - issues where the Government is accused of snaffling Tory ideas.

As Mr Brown hit back by listing the Government's record in those areas and attacking the Tory plans, Mr Cameron urged him: "I'll tell you what. If you've got some questions about our policy, find a bit of courage, discover a bit of bottle, get in your car, go down to Buckingham Palace and call that election."

Mr Cameron also labelled the Premier "a phoney", said he had lost his political authority and added that "this week he's losing his moral authority".

He continued: "He's the first prime minister in history to flunk an election because he thought he was going to win it."

The sharp exchanges were the most ferocious between the two since Mr Brown became Premier.

Chancellor Alistair Darling rejected claims that he had stolen Conservative proposals on inheritance tax and non-domiciled residents, and insisted he had set out a "long-term" vision for the country.

Mr Darling said he had been working on the changes that were made on Tuesday since he became Chancellor.