Nick Clegg today urged the British people to “bear with us” as power-sharing talks between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats resumed to break the deadlock of the hung parliament.

“We’re working around the clock,” Mr Clegg said this morning, as pressure mounted on the parties to strike a deal by the end of the day. “Meetings and telephone calls are constantly going on,” he said.

“I don’t think a long period of uncertainty is a good thing.

“But I hope people will equally understand it’s important to get the decision right rather than rush into something that will not stand the test of time.”

As his party’s negotiators were locked in talks supervised by Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O’Donnell and the Queen’s observer Christopher Geidt , he stressed the urgency of the timescale of the discussions.

“Bear with us a little bit longer and I hope we will be able to provide you with a full announcement as soon as possible,” he added.

Three days after his party won the most seats in the General Election, Tory leader David Cameron is still no closer to entering Downing Street.

The horse-trading between the two parties on a range of issues including taxation, the economy, political reform, banking and the environment continued today as MPs of the newly-elected House of Commons headed for Westminster with Parliament still in limbo.

Lib Dem MPs were being briefed on the proposals being thrashed out on the table by Mr Clegg this afternoon, while Mr Cameron was expected to confront his MPs about the on-going discussions later this evening.

But it appears Gordon Brown has not given up hopes of retaining power. The Prime Minister held talks with Mr Clegg last night at the Foreign Office.

By London Reporter Sunita Patel