Boris Johnson told Ed Miliband he would “do more damage to the country” than he had to his brother as he renewed personal attacks on the Labour leader in a heated head-to-head clash live on television.
The London mayor and Mr Miliband were both guests on the Andrew Marr Show and were pitched against one another at the close of the programme after being interviewed separately.
But the exchanges descended into chaos as both men traded barbs and spoke over each other until the host was eventually forced to tell them to stop and demand the senior Tory “shut up now, please” as time ran out.
The tussle began over Labour’s bid to stop some wealthy individuals taking advantage of “non dom” tax status, with Mr Johnson saying shadow chancellor Ed Balls admitted it would not make money and that he is “in favour of the rich paying as much tax as is consistent with a successful economy”.
Mr Miliband shot back: “You are saying that we should carry on with this tax loophole, this state sponsored tax avoidance?”
Asked about a renewal of attacks on Mr Miliband for “back stabbing” his brother David by battling the one-time favourite for the Labour leadership which drew sharp criticism earlier in the campaign Mr Johnson said: “I’m not saying your brother had to present himself at A&E with a dagger in his back but he (Ed) would do more damage to this country than he did to his brother.”
The Labour leader struck back by pointing the finger for the attacks at Conservative campaign guru Lynton Crosby.
He said: “Come on Boris. You are better than that don’t just do what Lynton says to you.”