Muammar Al Khadafi

As ConDem appears to be engaged in what seems to be an attempt at achieving the world record for broken manifesto pledges, it looks like another commitment has been flushed down the toilet - this time the promise to destroy innocent peoples DNA stored on the police database.

Currently the police database holds more than 5 million samples as one is taken from everyone arrested for a recordable offence whether or not they are charged or convicted.

Under the initial coalition agreement, the DNA database was to be brought into line with the Scottish system - whereby the DNA of innocent people would be deleted, other than in cases where a person was accused of sexual or violent offences.

Under new plans all DNA profiles will be retained - yet, by some sleight of hand, they'll be considered to have been deleted just by virtue of the fact that personal data will have been removed from them.

Despite this, Home Office minister James Brokenshire admitted that, via a barcode system, it would be possible to identify an individual if the laboratory and police force which took the sample cooperated with one another.

David Hamilton of Big Brother Watch said of the U-turn that "This is a disgraceful U-turn on the part of the government. Destroying physical DNA samples is a pointless gesture if the computer records are to be retained".

Clegg and Cameron are fast establishing a track record of reneged upon pledges, U-turns, and saying one thing but doing another.

As a comedy double act they may have some standing despite being singularly un-funny for the people of Britain who are encumbered by the hapless duo, but as politicians whose word you can trust? Make up your own mind.