Cameron: Brown's claim to openness was a sham
PMQs: Brown defends home secretary's handling of crisis
Wednesday, 14, Nov 2007 12:00
Gordon Brown has once again been dragged into a row with David Cameron over his refusal to name the date.
The opposition leader used his weekly confrontation with the prime minister in the Commons to challenge him to confirm when he was first aware illegal immigrants had been cleared to work in security agencies.
Mr Brown ducked repeated calls to do so, insisting the issue had been a matter for the home secretary. He repeated his praise for Jacqui Smith's "dignified" handling of the affair.
Mr Cameron said it was "serious" if Mr Brown had not been aware illegal immigrants had been hired by the Security Industry Authority but "not the end of the world."
The Tory leader argued Mr Brown's refusal to confirm his involvement in the affair undermined his claims towards open government.
He reminded the prime minister he had promised to be frank about problems and candid about dilemmas when first taking office.
Mr Cameron said: "The prime minister promised us a new type of politics… but today won't answer the simplest of questions. Shouldn't people conclude that everything he says about openness was just spin?"
Also in prime minister's questions, Mr Brown clashed with acting-Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable over the government's handling of the Northern Rock near-collapse.
By refusing to confirm how much the Treasury had lent the bank, Mr Cable said the government was suggesting taxpayers have inferior rights to company directors.
Mr Brown insisted he was not able to confirm reports the Treasury has lent Northern Rock £24 million because of commercial confidentiality rules.
The prime minister also defended the government's support for an extensive DNA database, arguing every conviction achieved because of the database justified the legislation.
He urged opposition MPs to support any measures to extend the database.
Likewise he appealed for cross-party support for proposals to raise the education leaving age to 18 and extend the availability of educational maintenance grants.
Mr Brown also confirmed a review of 24-hour licensing is underway, adding he will meet with representatives from the retail and drinks industry shortly to talk about advertising and underage sales.