Blair and Cameron disagree over shootings

Updated 08.07 Sat Feb 17 2007

Keywords: Dosunmu, Smartt-Ford, teenager, London, Shot, John Reid

David Cameron said society is "in deep trouble" while Tony Blair blamed a "specific, criminal culture".

Both men were discussing the recent shootings that have killed three teenagers in south London.

"It is a specific problem in a specific criminal culture amongst specific groups of young people" - Tony Blair

Mr Cameron said: "That's what our society's now come to, teenagers shooting other teenagers in their homes at point blank range. It is deeply depressing."

Mr Blair said: "What has happened in south London is horrific, shocking and for the victims and their families tragic beyond belief.

"However, let us be careful in our response. This tragedy is not a metaphor for the state of British society, still less for the state of British youth today, the huge majority of whom, including in this part of London, are responsible and law-abiding young people.

"But it is a specific problem, in a specific criminal culture amongst specific groups of young people."