Tory leader David Cameron has said too many black fathers are neglecting their children.

He has backed US Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's call for them to do more to prevent family breakdown.

The Tory leader said Mr Obama is absolutely right when he says some are behaving like teenagers, and has called for a "responsibility revolution" to change patterns of behaviour.

In an interview, Mr Cameron said: "I think he's absolutely right. I mean I think it's a very brave thing to do. And it will have a huge influence that he has said it.

"I've had a number of meetings with black church leaders who make the same point. They are concerned about family breakdown and social breakdown, and want to see what I call a responsibility revolution take place."

He called for the discrimination and economic disadvantage black people have experienced to be tackled, but said: "At the same time we will never solve the long term problems unless people also take responsibility for their own lives".

Mr Cameron's comments came after he set out an "economic recovery plan" to help deal with the fallout from the credit crunch and safeguard thousands of jobs.

During a speech to business leaders in London, Mr Cameron admitted Britain's economic woes may mean taxes would have to rise if the Tory party won the next General Election.

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