Does Ken Clarke make David Cameron nauseous?

Ken Clarke and David Cameron in better days (Photo: Geoff Pugh)

David Cameron has said the prospect of prisoners voting makes him physically sick. He knows that scores of his party feel the same, which is why he backed down and allowed Tory MPs to vote tomorrow for a David Davis motion in the Commons that rejects the ECHR ruling on prisoners votes.

So I wonder how Mr Cameron will feel about his Justice Secretary going on the radio and bluntly telling the world that yes, some prisoners will get the vote and yes, Britain will comply with the court ruling. That was Kenneth Clarke's message today on Radio Four. "We are going to comply with out obligations," he said.

But what about Mr Cameron's nausea? "The Prime Minister accepts like everybody else that Government complies with its obligations." So that's you told, young Cameron.

Mr Clarke is arguably one of the most robust and independent characters in Cabinet, qualities that make him both valuable to Mr Cameron, and infuriating. I wonder how Downing Street enjoyed his interview this morning.

Update: it seems the PM didn't get Ken's memo. At PMQs, he said this:

"I don't see any reason why prisoners should get the vote. This is not a situation I want this country to be in."

Priti Patel, a Conservative MP, asked Mr Cameron for an assurance that Parliament will have the final say on the question of votes.

She asked: "In view of the public disdain of these unelected bureaucrats in Strasbourg, will the Prime Minister defend our country from any further sanctions from Europe?"

Mr Cameron said that he had "every sympathy" with Ms Patel's views.

So, to summarize: the Justice Secretary says prisoners will get the vote because we have to honour the ECHR ruling. The PM says he sees no reason for prisoners to get the vote and sympathises with calls for MPs to have the final say. Hmm…