Tory MP hits out at Cameron over 'patronage'

Prime Minister David Cameron is today accused of exercising "patronage" by swelling his ministerial ranks to limit rebellions by MPs.

The Commons Public Administration Committee said the PM was "refusing to engage" its calls for ministerial numbers to be cut by a third.

Its chairman, Tory MP Bernard Jenkin, below, said: "This is more about exercising patronage over MPs... than it is about efficiency." Government sources said it had "acted decisively" to cut 5 per cent off ministers' pay.