The chairman of the Labour Party has launched a stinging attack on "pious and hypocritical" journalists who write "misleading" stories about the government.

What we are seeing here is a government agenda of suppressing dissent

Tim Collins, shadow cabinet office minister

Charles Clarke says the coverage is bringing democratic politics into disrepute.

But the Conservatives have accused Mr Clarke of "whingeing" and said Labour should take media criticism "on the chin".

The government's trust rating in opinion polls has plummeted in recent weeks amid a string of spin and sleaze stories.

No evidence

Last week it was forced to apologise to Pam Warren, former chairwoman of the Paddington Survivors Group, after it emerged a special adviser had been "digging for dirt" on group members.

But Mr Clarke claims it is the media - and not the government - which employs huge investigative departments.

"The impression is left that we are about smearing, investigating and so forth, in a way which is simply false," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

'Exaggerated'

In an interview with Wednesday's Times, he refers to the row over a controversial e-mail sent by Jo Moore recommending news be "buried" on 11 September.

Charles Clarke launched blistering attack on media

He acknowledges Ms Moore's e-mail was a "shocking mistake" and the Paddington one a "mistake".

But he says the incidents were "widely misreported and exaggerated".

He also hit back at allegations over Labour's relationship with party donors, including Bernie Ecclestone, Lakshmi Mittal and Richard Desmond.

"The implication is that people have been giving money in order to get favours, and that is simply untrue," Mr Clarke told Today.

'Whingeing and whining'

Critics say Labour is simply paying the price of its obsession with putting spin on stories and controlling the news agenda.

Shadow cabinet office minister Tim Collins said the Conservatives suffered far worse coverage in the final years of John Major's government, without complaint.

"Labour have had nearly a decade of sympathetic coverage and it is frankly amazing that they are suddenly turning on the media after a very short period of hostility.

"I think Charles Clarke this morning was indulging in an amazing exercise of whingeing, whining and moaning," he told Today.

Spin obsession

Mr Clarke was continuing to use spin, even as he was trying to distance himself from it, Mr Collins said.

Labour only have themselves to blame

Mark Oaten, Lib Dem chairman

In an interview with Today, Mr Clarke blamed "weekend" press officers for putting out incorrect information about Labour donor Lakshmi Mittal, saying his company was British.

"Infact it was the prime minister in the house of commons who said that," Mr Collins said.

"Again and again we see the government trying to spin itself out of trouble and spinning itself further into it."

He added: "What we are seeing here is a government agenda of suppressing dissent, whether that is select committees, neutering parliament or now attacking the media.

"I think people are right to fight back against that."

'Live by the sword'

Liberal Democrat chairman Mark Oaten MP said: "Mr Clarke is right to say the reporting of politics is becoming increasingly sensationalist, but given their track record over the last five years, Labour only have themselves to blame."

He added: "Labour wooed the media in 1997 to gain power and now it seems their honeymoon is over.

"Surely Mr Clarke is aware that in politics if you live by the sword you die by it as well."

Queen Mother row

Mr Clarke's broadside comes as Downing Street drops its complaint over press reports of Tony Blair's role in the lying-in-state of the Queen Mother.

But Mr Clarke insisted the timing of his attack was coincidental.

Several newspapers and commentators had accused Tony Blair of trying to increase the importance of his own role at the Royal event.

Downing Street strongly denied the allegation and complained to the Press Complaints Commission (PCC).

But Black Rod Sir Michael Willcocks - the parliamentary official in charge of organising the event - had told the PCC he was prepared to give evidence that was, according to sources, unfavourable to the government.

On Monday, the prime minister withdrew his complaint.