Wednesday: Time for PMQs

Miliband attacks Cameron for hiring ‘vanity’ photographer

Miliband attacks Cameron for hiring ‘vanity’ photographer

By Ian Dunt

Ed Miliband has attacked David Cameron for employing his own photographer on the civil service payroll.

The Labour leader targeted the issue during a stormy PMQs session which was mostly dominated by plans to increase tuition fees.

Mr Miliband mocked the prime minister for employing his photographer just as public sector workers were losing their jobs, leading Mr Cameron to ask: “Is this what his opposition leadership has been reduced to?”

Mr Miliband retorted: “He can’t even defend his own decision, Mr Speaker.”

Turning to the issue of tuition fees, Mr Miliband said: “It is a government of broken promises. That is what they meant by ‘Broken Britain’. All he’s doing, day by day, is destroying trust in politics.”

Mr Cameron replied: “You can come here every week with a bunch of lame soundbites. We know what he’s against but I think people are beginning to ask, what on earth is he for?”

Last week’s exchange was dominated by angry exchanges over housing benefit, with the two men’s approach to the encounter becoming increasingly bitter and hostile.

Mr Miliband was widely credited with winning the first bout against the prime minister and Mr Cameron the second. Commentators were divided on their performance last week, with most treating it as a draw.