OTTAWA - The Harper government is accusing opposition MP's of grandstanding over the cost of the F-35 fighter jet.

The New Democrats and Liberals say they're being stymied in efforts to launch a wide-ranging probe on the F-35.

The House of Commons public accounts committee was recalled from Easter break yesterday to set the framework for a series of hearings.

The emergency meeting followed the latest auditor general's report.

It accused the Conservatives and National Defence of hiding the full life-cycle cost of the proposed stealth-fighter purchase.

While the committee agreed to begin hearings next week, the Conservatives used their majority to postpone discussion of who would appear.

New Democrat Malcolm Allen accused the Tories of trying to control the witness list.

The Liberals demanded a guaranteed slate that would include senior cabinet ministers and bureaucrats and the auditor-general.

But a spokesman for Associate Defence Minister Julian Fantino says there is every intention to allow senior officials to testify.

He accuses the opposition M-P's of slowing up plans to allow them to testify.