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Cameron attacks 'strange' Brown Cameron attacks 'dodgy' Rock bid
(about 3 hours later)
David Cameron has referred to Gordon Brown as "that strange man in Downing Street" and accused him of playing politics with anti-terror measures. Tory leader David Cameron says the government's proposed rescue package for Northern Rock is a "sub-prime deal from a sub-prime minister".
He told The Times the efforts to extend terror detention were about trying to "make the Tories look soft on terror". In Commons exchanges, he said Gordon Brown was like "a used car salesman who won't tell you the price"; after he asked what the total cost would be.
The PM had not prepared for an economic downturn, "not fixed the roof when the sun was shining", the Tory leader said. Mr Brown accused the Tories of "flip flopping between nationalisation, private sales and administration".
The Tory leader also defended those who start going to church just to get their children into good church schools. But Mr Cameron hit back that the deal was "damaging" and "dodgy".
In the wide-ranging interview he reserved his strongest words for Mr Brown's support for extending the period that terrorism suspects can be held without charge for up to 42 days - a move opposed by Tories, Lib Dems and some Labour MPs. The heated exchanges came after the government announced plans to turn Northern Rock's £25bn Bank of England loan to the stricken bank into bonds and sell them to investors.
Heated debate likely Reputation rescue?
"I am afraid that he sees this as a totally political weapon: let us try and make the Tories look soft on terror," Mr Cameron told The Times. The bonds would be guaranteed by the government to speed up a private sale.
"That is my problem with our prime minister: he looks at every single issue from the point of view of what is the right dividing line that divides me from my opponent, not what is right for the country, and I think that is what he is doing here." If a private sale is not reached, the bank will come under temporary public ownership.
I am being very careful because if you say anything else that strange man in Downing Street will cook up an enormous package of Tory spending cuts David Cameron You've gone from prudence to Del Boy without even touching the ground David Cameron class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7204455.stm">Sketch: Car dealers confused
But Mr Cameron said taxpayers had a right to know what their total exposure was under the government's plans for the troubled bank - before adding that he believed it was £55bn.
He taunted Mr Brown that the Northern Rock deal was "as much a rescue package for your reputation".
"It's like a used car salesman who won't tell you the price, won't tell you the mileage, won't give you a warranty," he said.
"You've gone from prudence to Del Boy without even touching the ground.
"The fact that you won't answer a single question just shows what a dodgy deal this is."
What we are seeing is the height of opportunism from the Conservative Party Gordon Brown
He also accused the prime minister of "bad judgment" for flying to China with Sir Richard Branson, one of the principal bidders for Northern Rock.
But Mr Brown described the comments as "the height of opportunism from the Conservative Party. One day they favour nationalisation, another day they favour a private sale."
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg asked the prime minister how he could "justify fleecing the taxpayer by handing a blank cheque to the private sector when you know, unlike the Conservatives, that temporary nationalisation is the right thing to do".
Mr Brown said the government plans would protect the interests of the taxpayer "in the best possible way".
Earlier, in an interview with The Times, Mr Cameron described Mr Brown as "that strange man in Downing Street" and accused him of playing politics with anti-terror measures.
Heated exchanges expected
He said his support for extending the period that terrorism suspects can be held without charge for up to 42 days - a move opposed by Tories, Lib Dems and some Labour MPs - was an attempt to "make the Tories look soft on terror".
"That is my problem with our prime minister: he looks at every single issue from the point of view of what is the right dividing line that divides me from my opponent, not what is right for the country, and I think that is what he is doing here," he said.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is set to unveil the controversial Counter-Terrorism Bill on Thursday.Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is set to unveil the controversial Counter-Terrorism Bill on Thursday.
It is likely to spark heated exchanges during its second reading debate in the Commons in a few weeks time.It is likely to spark heated exchanges during its second reading debate in the Commons in a few weeks time.
Asked if was sticking with his pledge to match Labour spending plans to 2011, Mr Cameron said: "I am being very careful because if you say anything else that strange man in Downing Street will cook up an enormous package of Tory spending cuts."Asked if was sticking with his pledge to match Labour spending plans to 2011, Mr Cameron said: "I am being very careful because if you say anything else that strange man in Downing Street will cook up an enormous package of Tory spending cuts."
"It is complete and utter fiction. I have seen it done before and I have learnt a thing or two in the last few years."
Safe at night?
Mr Cameron, who is set to address the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday, also criticised Mr Brown for being unprepared to deal with the economic downturn.Mr Cameron, who is set to address the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday, also criticised Mr Brown for being unprepared to deal with the economic downturn.
"We have not fixed the roof when the sun was shining," he said."We have not fixed the roof when the sun was shining," he said.
He refused to say whether like Ms Smith, he felt unsafe walking alone in London.
"It doesn't matter what I feel. The fact of the matter is that most people don't feel safe walking."
But he defended parents who tried to secure their children a place at good church schools by starting to attend church when they had pre-school children.
Boris for mayor?
"I think it's good for parents who want the best for their kids," he said.
"I don't blame anyone who tries to get their children into a good school. Most people are doing so because it has an ethos and culture. I believe in active citizens."
And Mr Cameron predicted that Tory MP Boris Johnson would become Mayor of London in May - without sticking to Conservative Party policies.
"This is devolution - Boris is responsible for Boris' policies. He does not need to clear his policies with me."