Three Liberal Democrat ministers in Britain were taped by undercover journalists criticising government policies, piling tension on the Conservative-led coalition after its business secretary had some powers taken away yesterday.
Members of the junior coalition partner party were recorded by Daily Telegraph reporters condemning proposals to cut welfare benefits as part of a five-year austerity drive.
Telegraph journalists had also taped senior Lib Dem minister Vince Cable saying he was "declaring war" on News Corp chief executive Rupert Murdoch.
Mr Cable was stripped of power over the media sector for his unguarded comments but he was not sacked, a move which might have destabilised Britain's first coalition since the second World War, which took office in May pledging to cut a huge budget deficit.
Scottish secretary Michael Moore, business minister Ed Davey, and a pensions minister Steve Webb revealed tensions and unease in the coalition as well as antipathy between members of parliament (MPs) of the two parties.
"Are you watching what they are doing and what they are saying on the back benches of the Conservative Party? They are spitting blood," Mr Moore was reported as saying.
Prime minister David Cameron and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg put on a united front at a media conference yesterday saying that while they had disagreements, the coalition was sound.
"I don't think anyone should be surprised by the reports of what other ministers have said that there are differences of opinion in a coalition as there are indeed in all governments," Mr Clegg told Sky News today.
The Lib Dems' poll ratings have slumped after their leadership including Cable and other ministers backed higher tuition fees for students, breaking a pre-election pledge.
Mr Moore said on the Telegraph tape that decision had been a "car crash" and deeply damaging to the party. But Lib Dem MP Tim Farron said while the Telegraph's latest discloures revealed clear differences, they were not a problem for the government.
"In some ways it's helpful. We've been protesting for the last eight months that Liberal Democrats have a mind of our own, a distinct identity," Mr Farron told BBC radio.
Commentators said that Mr Cable, who had been in charge of overseeing News Corp's bid for full control of pay TV operator BSkyB, would have been sacked for his comments about Mr Murdoch had he been a Conservative.
Mr Cable is the second most high profile Lib Dem in the government after Mr Clegg and his retention appeared to be an effort to keep the lid on disquiet from grassroots members of the left-leaning party who are concerned about the coalition.
"I think that's almost certainly the case," Conservative MP John Whittingdale told BBC radio. "I'm not happy, but nevertheless I accept that in a coalition we have to do things to keep our partners in the coalition content."
He said clearly the view was the coalition could not afford to lose another leading Lib Dem following the resignation of treasury minister David Laws in May over expense claims. "The fact that some Liberal MPs are unhappy with some policies of the government doesn't come as any surprise at all," he said.