Cable's 'nuclear option': The fallout

Vince Cable has landed the government in hot water after a sting operation saw him claiming he could 'bring down the government' if pushed over policy differences with the Conservatives.

Undercover Telegraph reporters posing as concerned Lib Dem voters recorded the business secretary making highly unguarded comments about the stability of the coalition - bringing widely held concerns into glaring public light.

Mr Cable also appeared to suggest that a Conservative pledge not to tamper with winter fuel payments may be ditched.

The revelations come at a particularly embarrassing time for the government, just a few hours before Nick Clegg and David Cameron are due to hold their last joint press conference of the year.