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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| No 10 apology over 'slur' e-mails | No 10 apology over 'slur' e-mails |
| (39 minutes later) | |
| Downing Street has apologised for e-mails sent by one of Gordon Brown's senior officials which reportedly discussed smearing top Conservatives. | Downing Street has apologised for e-mails sent by one of Gordon Brown's senior officials which reportedly discussed smearing top Conservatives. |
| The Daily Telegraph says the e-mails found their way to Paul Staines, writer of the Guido Fawkes blog. | The Daily Telegraph says the e-mails found their way to Paul Staines, writer of the Guido Fawkes blog. |
| BBC political correspondent Laura Kuenssburg said she understood their author to be Damian McBride, the prime minister's ex-political press officer. | BBC political correspondent Laura Kuenssburg said she understood their author to be Damian McBride, the prime minister's ex-political press officer. |
| A Number 10 spokesman said the messages were "juvenile and inappropriate". | A Number 10 spokesman said the messages were "juvenile and inappropriate". |
| 'Ludicrous' | |
| The Tories said it was "absurd" that advisers were "plotting smear campaigns rather than focusing on how to help people affected by the downturn". | The Tories said it was "absurd" that advisers were "plotting smear campaigns rather than focusing on how to help people affected by the downturn". |
| The Daily Telegraph said the e-mails included unfounded allegations about Conservative leader David Cameron and shadow chancellor George Osborne. | The Daily Telegraph said the e-mails included unfounded allegations about Conservative leader David Cameron and shadow chancellor George Osborne. |
| Their author was thought to have sent them to former government spin doctor Derek Draper, who runs a pro-Labour blog. | Their author was thought to have sent them to former government spin doctor Derek Draper, who runs a pro-Labour blog. |
| Shouldn't Downing Street officials be concentrating on the challenges we face as a nation? Chris Grayling, shadow home secretary | |
| It is understood that the official at the centre of the row has had to apologise to colleagues. | It is understood that the official at the centre of the row has had to apologise to colleagues. |
| Shadow home secretary Chris Grayling described the episode as "ludicrous". | |
| He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We are in the middle of the biggest economic crisis for half a century. Is this really the best Downing Street can do? | |
| "Shouldn't they surely be thinking about national issues, shouldn't Downing Street officials be concentrating on the challenges we face as a nation? | |
| "To think that they are sitting in Downing Street putting together ludicrous stories about Conservative MPs that they can put round as tittle-tattle just beggars belief." | |
| 'Chaotic' | |
| Mr McBride, a special adviser in Downing Street, was removed from his job dealing with the media on a day-to-day basis following the resignation of former Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly's in September 2008. | Mr McBride, a special adviser in Downing Street, was removed from his job dealing with the media on a day-to-day basis following the resignation of former Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly's in September 2008. |
| The handling of her departure from government was widely seen as chaotic, our correspondent said. | The handling of her departure from government was widely seen as chaotic, our correspondent said. |
| But Mr McBride stayed on in Number 10, and was given responsibility for strategy and planning. | But Mr McBride stayed on in Number 10, and was given responsibility for strategy and planning. |
| Our correspondent said Mr McBride, who has worked for Gordon Brown for many years, became unpopular with some MPs for his trenchant briefings to journalists | Our correspondent said Mr McBride, who has worked for Gordon Brown for many years, became unpopular with some MPs for his trenchant briefings to journalists |
| She added that it was not clear how the e-mails ended up with Mr Staines, who has traded insults with Mr Draper. | She added that it was not clear how the e-mails ended up with Mr Staines, who has traded insults with Mr Draper. |
| A spokesman for Downing Street said: "Neither the prime minister nor anybody else in Downing Street, except the author, knew anything about any of these private emails. | A spokesman for Downing Street said: "Neither the prime minister nor anybody else in Downing Street, except the author, knew anything about any of these private emails. |
| "The author of these emails has apologised for their juvenile and inappropriate nature and for the embarrassment caused. | "The author of these emails has apologised for their juvenile and inappropriate nature and for the embarrassment caused. |
| "All staff will be reminded of the appropriate use of Number 10 resources." | "All staff will be reminded of the appropriate use of Number 10 resources." |