Paul Boateng, the chief secretary to the Treasury, told Michael Howard on television last night that he makes him "want to puke".

Speaking during an analysis of the pre-Budget report on Channel Five, the shadow chancellor mentioned the critical Ofsted report on reading standards.

Boateng retorted: "It makes me want to puke, quite frankly , hearing the efforts of teachers and school governors traduced in this way."

Kirsty Young, the presenter, later told Boateng: "Paul, short of slapping my hand over your mouth, there is nothing I can do but tell you to stop talking."