AN INVESTIGATION has been launched into the operation in which undercover reporters recorded Vince Cable saying he could 'bring the government down'.

Liberal Democrat president Tim Farron has asked the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) to investigate The Daily Telegraph's use of undercover reporters to record Lib Dem ministers talking about the coalition government.

The paper reported the Business Secretary and MP for Twickenham telling people he thought were constituents that he was prepared to quit the government. He also stated he had 'declared war' on media tycoon Rupert Murdoch for his plans to take over all of BSkyB.

Dr Cable was stripped of all responsibility for media policy as a result of the recordings.

The PCC received more than 200 letters of complaint on the subject and has opened an investigation into the Telegraph's use of subterfuge.

A spokesman for the PCC said: "We have now received a letter from the Liberal Democrats asking us formally to investigate. We will do so under Clause 10."

Lib Dem MP for Kingston and Surbiton Ed Davey was also recorded, allegedly saying he was 'unhappy with some of the government's decisions'.