Blur drummer Dave Rowntree has accused David Cameron of being a phony Smiths fans.

The Conservative leader has previously spoken of his admiration for the Manchester band, saying he enjoyed their “gloomy music”.

In 2008, he also unsuccessfully attempted to re-create an iconic picture of the group outside Salford Lads’ Club.

But Rowntree, who is standing as a Labour candidate in the Cities of London and Westminster, said Cameron’s admiration wasn’t genuine.

“He's a Smiths tourist," the drummer told The Guardian.

"Real Smiths fans dress a certain kind of way, and they have a certain kind of haircut, and they wear certain kinds of T-shirts.

“But what they probably don't do is have their picture taken outside the Salford Lads Club.”

Rowntree added: "Politicians do have to try and present themselves as ordinary people. But you need to do that in a way which makes you look least like an arse."

Earlier this month, the Tories came under fire when they used a song by Keane at their election manifesto launch without permission.

A spokesperson for Mr Cameron later said he was a "great fan" of the band.

(by Jason Gregory)