Tory leader and Witney MP David Cameron launched a fierce attack on Gordon Brown's handling of the economy today.

To date, Mr Cameron has supported the Prime Minister's decision to bail out banks following a crisis of confidence in stock markets across the globe.

But in a speech at media company Bloomberg in central London he said he did not back Mr Brown's wider economic policies, which have been clearly exposed as "a complete and utter failure".

Mr Cameron added: "Some people think this decision — to support recapitalisation — means we somehow now subscribe to the Government's entire economic policy and doctrine.

"Let me make it crystal clear — we do not. The complete and utter failure of their economic record has never been more clear to see."

Mr Cameron pledged the Tories would inject responsibility into the financial system.

Later, he will travel to West Yorkshire to meet staff at the state-rescued Bradford & Bingley building society.