Disgraceful Tory ministers who mercilessly cut flood defence budgets have resorted to useless squabbling as swathes of Britain languish underwater.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles issued a venom-filled apology yesterday for relying on the Environment Agency’s advice, saying he “thought we were dealing with experts.”

But his attempt to deflect blame from the government was slapped down by the agency and the unions, which pointed out the havoc wrought by coalition budget cuts.