[Ignitionnet]

This is an interesting story.

The widespread unpopularity of the National Insurance increases, which it is feared will put the economic recovery at risk, has led to a rancorous inquest into who made the decision - which was taken against Treasury advice.

Allies of Chancellor Darling are desperate to avoid the blame, although the decision was announced in his pre-Budget report last November. Astonishingly, in an act of naked treachery, they are letting it be known that Gordon Brown himself was responsible.

Details are being circulated of a furious Cabinet confrontation in which Darling argued that it would be best to raise the extra funds through a rise in VAT, and leave National Insurance alone.

Although Peter Mandelson weighed in behind Darling, both men were overruled by Brown and his lackey, the Schools Secretary Ed Balls.

Ignoring the Mail's usual rhetoric this would make a fair amount of sense given past 'disagreements'.