Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Paddy Ashdown calls the Tories 'b**tards' seven times in four minutes during un-dubbed BBC lunchtime broadcast

The former Lib Dem leader had a colourful warning for Conservative voters on the dangers of a possible deal with Ukip

Jenn Selby
Tuesday 21 April 2015 19:32 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Watershed? What watershed?

The fact it was before midday and being broadcast live on the BBC didn't dissuade Paddy Ashdown from using the word "b**tards" seven times in just four minutes.

The former Liberal Democrat leader’s colourful language was carefully deployed to illustrate what he thought of John Major’s earlier warning about the possibility of a Labour-SNP alliance following the General Election on 7 May.

The ex-Conservative Prime Minister claimed Ed Miliband would be subjected to ''a daily dose of political blackmail'' under such a deal.

“The Conservative Party today has not 16 b**tards, but 60 b**tards. Right-wingers who want to do a deal with Ukip,” he told the BBC’s assistant political editor Norman Smith.

“I believe we have as much to fear from the extreme right of the Conservative Party, from the 60 so called b**tards, Mr Major's phrase, not mine,“ he added.

Watch it above.


The Independent has got together with May2015.com to produce a poll of polls that produces the most up-to-date data in as close to real time as is possible.

Click the buttons below to explore how the main parties' fortunes have changed:

All data, polls and graphics are courtesy of May2015.com. Click through for daily analysis, in-depth features and all the data you need. (All historical data used is provided by UK Polling Report)

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in