Conservative leader David Cameron has demanded an inquiry into the "calamitous" decision to allow freed Iran hostages to sell their stories.

The Witney MP has said there were still questions that remained unanswered, despite Defence Secretary Des Browne conceding earlier that with hindsight he could have made a different decision.

But while the Tory leader said Mr Browne was in a "very difficult" position, he did not call for his resignation, saying more details were needed about why the decision was made and who took it.

Mr Cameron said: "I think we need a fuller explanation - explanation should come before resignation."