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LONDON: Britain's coalition government faced further strains on Wednesday after three Liberal Democrat ministers were recorded by undercover journalists criticising policies.
The latest disclosures come a day after Business Secretary Vince Cable was stripped of power over the media sector after he was taped “declaring war” on News Corp Chief Executive Rupert Murdoch.
Cable was slapped down by Prime Minister David Cameron for his unguarded comments but he was not sacked, a move which might have destabilised the Conservative-led government.
However, the Daily Telegraph, whose reporters recorded Cable's comments, said three other Liberal Democrat ministers had also been taped condemning proposals to cut welfare benefits as part of a five-year austerity drive.
Scottish Secretary Michael Moore, business minister Ed Davey, and a pensions minister Steve Webb, also revealed tensions and unease in the coalition, and antipathy between 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,” Moore was reported as saying.
At a joint news conference on Tuesday, Cameron and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg put on a united front 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,” Clegg told Sky News.
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.
Moore reportedly said that decision had been a “car crash” and deeply damaging to the party. However, Lib Dem MP Tim Farron said while the Telegraph's latest disclosures 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,” Farron told BBC radio.
Commentators said that 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 Murdoch had he been a Conservative.
Cable is the second most high profile Lib Dem in the government after 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 added.
