Tory leader mocks 'childlike' ministers

Mr Duncan Smith said the government was 'out of control'

Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith has accused the government of behaving like a child throwing a tantrum in its determination to control everybody.

In a scathing personal attack, Mr Duncan Smith argues controversial special adviser Jo Moore was one of several government figures who were "out of control".

The government is a government that believes it had to control everything

Iain Duncan Smith

The Leader of the Opposition also said members of the government "hate each other more than they hate anyone else".

He accused Prime Minister Tony Blair of buying off Chancellor Gordon Brown by telling him: "When I've gone, you can take over."

In the interview Mr Duncan Smith said: "The government is a government that believes it had to control everything or it will control nothing, control everybody or they will lose everybody.

"My answer is that's the attitude of an eight-year-old child throwing a tantrum."

System at fault

He said the result was the kind of manipulation that produced the infamous e-mail where Ms Moore suggested 11 September was a good day to bury bad news.

Mr Duncan Smith added: "I wasn't angry with Jo Moore, I was angry with the system. She was one of a whole list of people who patrol around briefing and spinning.

"They are out of control and the government itself is out of control, so they should stop it."

Parliament... is far too soft on the government

Iain Duncan Smith

The Conservative leader told the Press Association ministers were trying to "ram" legislation through Parliament and he pointed to the attempt to rush through new anti-terror plans.

He said he wanted plans to modernise the House of Commons to produce a more concentrated period of scrutinising new laws "fiercely", with ministers brought to account.

"I would immediately want to reform the way Parliament works because at the moment it is far too soft on the government, far too easy for a government to get away with rubbish," he said.

Inquiry call

New concerns about Parliament's standing emerged this week when MPs' sleaze watchdog Elizabeth Filkin said her job had been downgraded.

Mr Duncan Smith renewed his calls for an inquiry into claims that civil servants had briefed journalists against Ms Filkin.

He acknowledged it looked as if MPs did not want to be regulated but said most British politicians were determined to be honest.

"I don't think people are overly sleazy here. There are one or two people and one or two problems," he added.