Liberal Democrat Leader Charles Kennedy has called for the Westminster lobby system to be scrapped.

At a Commons press gallery lunch, Mr Kennedy said the system enabling on and off the record briefings by government spokesmen and ministers was no longer "tenable".

Mr Kennedy called on the prime minister's press secretary, Alastair Campbell, to hold his daily press conferences for lobby journalists on camera for use on television news.

The Lib Dem leader said he did not understand why, at a time when there was a move towards greater freedom of information, the government would not become more open and responsive in this area.

"The quicker we get rid of the lobby system the better for all of us," he told journalists.

"I don't think in this day and age it is tenable to have these nods and winks, and on-the-record and off-the-record briefings."

"If we can ditch the lobby system, that would be a very healthy step indeed."

The lobby is the name given to a small group of parliamentary journalists who enjoy privileged access to certain parts of Parliament.

One of the main privileges is the right to enter the Members' Lobby at Westminster in order to interview MPs.

Information passed to journalists in these circumstances is often given on the understanding that the source will not be revealed.

Critics say the system makes it easier for the government to get away with putting a misleading slant on embarrassing stories or to make unfounded attacks on its enemies.