David Cameron exploited tensions over Gordon Brown's preference to dump plans for a supercasino in Manchester yesterday by calling for a parliamentary statement to explain the policy change.

While many MPs privately applaud the change of heart over casinos they have questioned Mr Brown's decision to dump the policy without consulting the Cabinet, parliamentary colleagues or the movers and shakers in Manchester.

Speaking on GMTV, Mr Cameron said: "I think that was an extraordinary thing yesterday because he told us, you know, we want Cabinet government, everything is going to be carefully discussed, and suddenly the government's policy is torn up on the sort of whim of an answer at Prime Minister's questions.

"I think we need a government statement, because there's the supercasino, which they were saying should go to Manchester. We were saying, the decision was very much flawed and they needed a proper review of that," he added.

There is also a degree of confusion over the new policy since Mr Brown is minded to keep plans for 16 smaller casinos.

The Prime Minister's spokesman said yesterday: "What we are moving into now is a period of reflection and review. I think we will need to consider the issues that the Prime Minister raised yesterday in relation to our regeneration objectives.

"I don't think there's any question of the existing 16, anything changing in relation to them. I think the Prime Minister is happy with policy in relation to those 16."

Angie Robinson, the chief executive of Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said she had not heard of any potential regeneration scheme which could deliver the same level of inward investment and job creation to the area as the proposed supercasino.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, she said: "We were extremely dis-appointed and very, very surprised. We did expect some form of review to take place but this has just thrown things up into the air.

"How many jobs is he going to actually be able to put into an area which chronically needs them with other forms of regeneration? How is he going to replace the massive direct inward investment that was going to come into that area?," she asked With councils spending up to £200,000 each to bid for casinos, Ms Robinson said: "I think it's an appalling waste of public money to ask people to spend on bids and then to decide after all we are not going to bother with it."

During questions on Commons business yesterday, which the PM did not attend, shadow Commons leader Theresa May said: "If the Prime Minister respects parliament will he order the Culture Secretary to come to the House to make a statement?"

Commons Leader Harriet Harman replied: "There was not agreement between this House and the House of Lords about the substance of casinos. There was not agreement either as to the process by which we would try and reach agreement."

Given the deadlock, the PM was giving further consideration to the best way of regenerating the areas in question.

In March, peers rejected a move to build the UK's first supercasino in Manchester by just three votes after MPs backed it by a majority of 24.

The vote scuppered the plan, along with proposals for 16 smaller casinos, leaving ministers to consider what to do next.

Manchester Blackley Labour MP Graham Stringer warned of "profound constitutional implications" if MPs "kow-towed" to peers' decisions.

"We also need to know if the supercasino doesn't go ahead how we will replace the 3500 jobs that will be lost," he added.

Ms Harman pledged that more consideration would be given to regenerating east Manchester.