Keir Starmer has branded Boris Johnson a "coward not a leader" as he tore into the Prime Minister over a string of broken promises.
In a fiery Prime Minister's Questions clash, the Labour leader said "trust in the PM is at an all time low" and accused Mr Johnson of spending weeks defending corruption.
Mr Starmer began by challenging the PM over widespread speculation he is poised to break his promise for major rail expansion for the North.
He then pressed Mr Johnson to apologise over his disastrous handling of the Owen Paterson saga - branding him a "coward" for not apologising.
Mr Starmer later withdrew the "coward" remark after being challenged by the Commons Speaker.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle said: "'Coward' is not what is used in this house and I’m sure the leader of the opposition will withdraw."
The Labour leader then stood up and said bluntly: "I withdraw it. But he’s no leader."
The croaky-voiced PM appeared visibly angry during the clash, when he was scolded by the Speaker for a jibe against Mr Starmer where he accused him of "misconduct".
Mr Starmer demanded answers over the future of the PM's pledge for a "Crossrail of the North" with a new high speed rail line between Manchester and Leeds.
"A Crossrail for the North, an entirely new line, that is the promise, it's already been made, so I don't want the Prime Minister fobbing off the House about waiting until tomorrow, he can say today, will he stick by that promise, yes or no?"
But the PM dodged the question, saying he would publish the integrated rail plan tomorrow.
He said: "What we are doing, is we are giving people in those communities the same access to commuter-type services that people in the south east of this country have felt entitled to for more than a century, and that is going to be levelling-up across the whole of the UK."
Mr Starmer then tried to pin the PM to his promise to develop the eastern leg of HS2, with plans looking set to be downgraded.
But Mr Johnson again refused to answer - but insisted people in the North would "benefit massively".
The Labour leader said it was "no wonder trust in the Prime Minister is at an all time low" before he shifted to sleaze, demanding an apology from Mr Johnson for his disastrous attempt to rip up standards rules to save Tory MP Owen Paterson from sanction.
Mr Starmer said: "Will he do the decent thing and just say sorry for trying to give the green light to corruption?"
The angry PM retorted that he had already admitted it was "a mistake" to conflate Mr Paterson's case and concerns with the appeals process.
He then tried to turn the tables on Mr Starmer by grilling him over legal work he did before he was Labour leader.
But the Speaker interjected, saying: "It's Prime Minister's questions, not leader of the opposition's questions."
Mr Starmer furiously replied: "That is not an apology. Everyone else has apologised but he won't apologise for himself. A coward not a leader.
"Weeks defending corruption, yesterday a screeching last-minute U-turn to avoid defeat on Labour's plan to ban MPs from dodgy second contracts.
"But waving the white flag won't be enough to restore trust."
Mr Johnson clashed repeatedly with the Speaker as the Prime Minister attempted to question Mr Starmer about any links with law firm Mishcon de Reya.
The PM later accused the Labour leader of "Mish-conduct" and was ticked off by the Speaker.
Sir Lindsay said: "I don't think this has done this House any good today. I'll be quite honest, I think it's been ill-tempered, I think it shows the public that this House has not learnt from the other week, I need this House to gain respect but it starts by individuals showing respect for each other."
It comes ahead of Mr Johnson's grilling by senior MPs on the Liaison Committee this afternoon, which will include a block of questions on sleaze.
