GEORGE Osborne was accused yesterday of the most serious breach of the parliamentary select committee system in history, in a cynical attempt to hoodwink the opposition.

Labour’s John Mann made the comment after the Chancellor refused five times before the Commons Treasury committee to rule out a future VAT rise just a day before Prime Minister David Cameron announced such a pledge in the Commons.

“I couldn’t be clearer. We do not need to increase VAT because our plans involve saving money on the welfare budget and government departments,” Mr Osborne told the committee.