A YouGov poll published in today's Telegraph reveals that 56 per cent of those questioned perceive Labour to be sleazy, compared to a third who have the same low opinion of the Conservatives.

Over half of those surveyed believed that Black Rod had faced pressure from Downing Street to give Tony Blair a more prominent role in the Queen Mother's funeral.

Liberal Democrats have called for Black Rod to be accountable to the taxpayer in a series of proposed reforms of the workings of Westminster.

The poll comes after home secretary David Blunkett echoed criticisms of the media made by Labour Party chairman, Charles Clarke.

"I have the misfortune every day - and I shouldn't really do it - to read Britain's newspapers and commentaries and leader writers, and we are almost on the edge of insanity," he said.

Northern Ireland secretary Dr John Reid accused the media of targeting the Blairs because it had lost the political argument.