Cameron hits at BBC over riots coverage

Prime Minister David Cameron has become involved in a row with the BBC over its coverage of this summer’s riots.

Appearing on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Cameron accused the broadcaster of trying to “mush” together the outbreaks of disorder in English cities with wider social problems.

The Prime Minister was forced to deny witnessing disorder while a member of the raucous Bullingdon Club while at Oxford, after presenter Evan Davis compared the club to a gang that engaged in violent behaviour.

He asked the Prime Minister: “Do you see any likeness in that to what occurred?”

Mr Cameron told him: “I think we all do stupid things when we are young, and we should learn the lessons.”

Davis then asked Mr Cameron about the wider causes of the riots, and the Prime Minister said that “when you listen to the BBC there is a sort of danger” that all the issues were put in a “great mush and make that as an excuse for not acting”.

Davis tried to interrupt but Mr Cameron continued: “Some people almost say, ‘Well, until we deal with the problem of inequality in our society there is nothing you can do to deal with rioting’.”

Davis again intervened, but the PM told him: “Well, that’s what it can slip into, Evan, if you are not careful.”