Lib Dems: Cable denies rift at top

Mr Cable played down talk of a rift and also insisted his feet were still "firmly on the ground" despite the party's success in opinion polls since last week's leaders' debate.

The former economist has been the Lib Dems' star performer during the economic crisis but there have been rumours of tensions with Mr Clegg, considerably his junior.

Campaigning in the south west yesterday, Mr Cable said: "I am absolutely delighted he (Mr Clegg] is now getting the recognition that he deserves. We will be together tomorrow.

"It is actually a very good relationship. It has been for a long time – good communication, we don't have any differences. I am not agitating for his job like Brown and Blair."