Labour’s former head of communications Alastair Campbell was involved in a furious on-air spat in which he accused Sky News journalist Adam Boulton of treating Gordon Brown like “dead meat” and wanting David Cameron in Downing Street.

Mr Campbell’s fiery exchange with the Sky News political editor was broadcast live by the 24-hour news channel as it covered the aftermath of Mr Brown’s announcement he will stand down as Labour leader.

Mr Boulton insisted he had reported impartially, demanding that Mr Campbell - who is understood to have been offering advice to Mr Brown over the days since the election - produce evidence of him favouring the Conservative leader.

Sky News said that Mr Boulton had “defended his integrity” and by implication that of the channel.

The exchange was kicked off by Mr Boulton questioning whether the nation needed “four more months of Gordon Brown limping on until he retires”.

Mr Campbell responded: “Adam, I know that you’ve been spending the last few years saying Gordon Brown is dead meat and he should be going anyway.”

Mr Boulton replied: “I’m not saying that, show me where I said that once.”

The broadcaster pointed out that Conservatives had secured more votes and seats than Labour in last week’s election, and Mr Campbell replied: “Yes, I know, you’re obviously upset that David Cameron is not Prime Minister.”

A clearly angry Mr Boulton responded: “I’m not upset. You keep casting aspersions... Don’t keep telling me what I think. I’m fed up with you telling me what I think, I don’t think that.”

Mr Campbell was told he was being unnecessarily “provocative”, but said: “He is saying Gordon Brown is no longer legitimately in Downing Street, I’m saying he is. He is.”

And Mr Boulton replied: “No, I’m saying look at the performances in the elections, Labour did worse than the Conservatives, will you accept that?”

Asking Mr Campbell why Mr Brown had not consulted Labour MPs before making his announcement, Mr Boulton said: “You’re the one that cooked it up, you’re the one that’s cooked it up with Peter Mandelson.”

Mr Campbell branded this assertion “unbelievable”.

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