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PM Scores Own Goal With Football 'Brain Fade'

David Cameron has blamed "brain fade" for mixing up his claret and blue football sides and urging people to support a premier league rival to his favourite team.

In a speech on the campaign trail, the Prime Minister said he would prefer people to support West Ham when he is a self-proclaimed Aston Villa fan.

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He later echoed the comment made by the Green Party leader Natalie Bennett following a poor interview performance.

But the slip led to derision on Twitter and has been seized on by critics to doubt his true commitment to the team.

In an interview with Sky News’ Dermot Murnaghan to be shown on Sunday, Mr Cameron sought to duck questions over his gaffe and admitted he had not been to a game for "years and years".

Setting out his "2020 vision" for black, Asian and minority communities , Mr Cameron told activists: "This a country where people of all faiths, all colours, creeds and backgrounds can live together in one place.

"We are a shining example of a country where multiple identities work.

"Where you can be Welsh and Hindu and British, Northern Irish and Jewish and British, where you can wear a kilt and a turban, where you can wear a hijab covered in poppies.

"Where you can support Man Utd, the Windies and Team GB all at the same time.

"Of course, I'd rather you supported West Ham."

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Tackled by journalists afterwards over his football allegiances, Mr Cameron said: "I had what Natalie Bennett described as a brain fade.

"I'm a Villa fan ... I must have been overcome by something ... this morning.

"But there we are, these things sometimes happen when you are on the stump."

When pressed on the Murnaghan programme over his support for Aston Villa, the PM said: "I am not doing quiz time because I will get them all wrong."

He said he became a fan at the time of the team's victory in the 1982 European Cup Final and because of his uncle's involvement in the club.

But Mr Cameron added: "I don't go very often. In fact I haven't been for years and years, but I try to keep up."

Following his footballing faux pas, the chat show host and former tabloid editor Pier Morgan tweeted: "This has cost Cameron the election, surely? How can anyone 'forget' which football team they support. Unforgiveable."

TV football presenter Gary Lineker said in a Twitter post: "David Cameron has forgotten which Football Club he supports. Aston Villa last week, West Ham this. Burnley next?"

Political opponents also waded in.

Former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell - whose own team Burnley also play in claret and blue - said the mistake "says a lot about his character which impacts upon policy. Out of touch. Phoney. Believes nothing".

And Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls, an avid Norwich City fan, tweeted: "Hey David Cameron ... I'm off to see that football team I support this afternoon. Name escapes me ... they play in yellow ... Watford?"

:: Watch David Cameron's full interview on Sky News' Murnaghan programme from 10am on Sunday