For the Conservatives, shadow home secretary Dominic Grieve told BBC Radio 4's The World at One that Ms Smith's comments had been "quite astonishing".

BBC: Tory MP leak inquiry 'continuing'

Shadow education secretary Tim Yeo told BBC Radio 4's World This Weekend that Labour's top-up fee proposals would damage universities' independence and burden students with debt.

BBC: Some academics have joined students in opposing the plans

For Labour, shadow Treasury minister Cathy Jamieson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme she was "surprised" the Lib Dems no longer seemed to support the policy and accused the party of being inconsistent.

BBC: Mansion tax: Labour playing games, Cable says

Shadow education secretary David Willetts told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it was important to "make it easier for good schools to expand" and that Prime Minister Tony Blair should not "retreat" towards Lord Kinnock's position.

BBC: NEWS | UK | UK Politics | Kelly defiant over school reforms

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Liam Byrne agreed that a majority of people thought benefit recipients were lazy and did not really want to work.

BBC: Political reporter, BBC News, in Manchester

As we sat together watching the film, unbeknownst to us, outside the theatre TV and radio were filled with stories about the rise of a terrible shadow in Sandy Hook Connecticut.

FORBES: Move up http://i.forbesimg.com t Move down

This morning the shadow chancellor called for the duty to be frozen in an article in The Sun and on Radio 4's Today programme.

BBC: Chancellor responds to pressure over fuel duty