It's a metphor
for doubt.
( sandettie light vessel automatic New Twitter - @bollocksreally, Thu 8 Apr 2010, 17:25, 2 replies)

It's a shit metaphor.
Just say "There is doubt as to whether Gordon Brown..." or "It is doubtful whether Gordon Brown..." or "It is questionable whether..."
( Bob Todd whee, Thu 8 Apr 2010, 18:27, closed)

A do not ask my newsreaders to provide literary interest
If they tell me that Brown shat all over Cameron at PMQs I expect this literally to have been the case.

And if they must be all metaphorical about it then could they not come up with a new one occasionally? It's either wrong, or it's over-used. Most likely both.
( Ugi , it's a game of give and cake, Fri 9 Apr 2010, 10:45, closed)