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No 10 official quits over e-mails No 10 official quits over e-mails
(20 minutes later)
One of Gordon Brown's senior officials has resigned after sending e-mails which reportedly discussed smearing senior Conservatives.One of Gordon Brown's senior officials has resigned after sending e-mails which reportedly discussed smearing senior Conservatives.
Damian McBride, the prime minister's former political press officer, had apologised after the messages found their way to a Westminster blogger.Damian McBride, the prime minister's former political press officer, had apologised after the messages found their way to a Westminster blogger.
Paul Staines, writer of the Guido Fawkes blog, described the messages sent by Mr McBride as "obscene".Paul Staines, writer of the Guido Fawkes blog, described the messages sent by Mr McBride as "obscene".
A Number 10 spokesman said the messages were "juvenile and inappropriate".A Number 10 spokesman said the messages were "juvenile and inappropriate".
The e-mails are said to have included allegations about Conservative leader David Cameron and shadow chancellor George Osborne.The e-mails are said to have included allegations about Conservative leader David Cameron and shadow chancellor George Osborne.
A No 10 spokesman said nobody in Downing Street knew of the emails and that it was Mr Brown's view that there was "no place in politics for the dissemination or publication of material of this kind".A No 10 spokesman said nobody in Downing Street knew of the emails and that it was Mr Brown's view that there was "no place in politics for the dissemination or publication of material of this kind".
A CONSERVATIVE BLOGGER'S VIEW Paul Staines, author of the Guido Fawkes blog Juvenile isn't the word I would use about the Prime Minister's political and press adviser. These are emails that orchestrate a campaign against Tory MPs and opponents of Downing Street. This is not just a spat... this is evidence of a long-term smear operation run out of Downing Street. Guido Fawkes' blog A POLITICAL BLOGGER'S VIEW Paul Staines, author of the Guido Fawkes blog Juvenile isn't the word I would use about the Prime Minister's political and press adviser. These are emails that orchestrate a campaign against Tory MPs and opponents of Downing Street. This is not just a spat... this is evidence of a long-term smear operation run out of Downing Street. Guido Fawkes' blog
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 e-mails were originally sent to former government spin doctor Derek Draper, who runs a pro-Labour blog, before they came to the attention of Mr Staines.The e-mails were originally sent to former government spin doctor Derek Draper, who runs a pro-Labour blog, before they came to the attention of Mr Staines.
Mr Draper branded the idea of an orchestrated Downing Street campaign as "ridiculous".Mr Draper branded the idea of an orchestrated Downing Street campaign as "ridiculous".
He said he had been sent the comments after canvassing Labour supporters about the prospect of setting up another blog to combat "right-wing tittle-tattle" posted on the web.He said he had been sent the comments after canvassing Labour supporters about the prospect of setting up another blog to combat "right-wing tittle-tattle" posted on the web.
However, former home secretary Charles Clarke led calls for Mr McBride to be sacked and said his actions had brought "shame" on the Labour party.However, former home secretary Charles Clarke led calls for Mr McBride to be sacked and said his actions had brought "shame" on the Labour party.
Despite the resignation, BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins said Gordon Brown may not escape the political fallout.Despite the resignation, BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins said Gordon Brown may not escape the political fallout.
"For years Damian McBride has been one of the Prime Minister's closest advisors, dealing with the press at the Treasury when Mr Brown was Chancellor and moving with him to Downing Street," he said."For years Damian McBride has been one of the Prime Minister's closest advisors, dealing with the press at the Treasury when Mr Brown was Chancellor and moving with him to Downing Street," he said.
A LABOUR BLOGGER'S VIEW Derek Draper, editor of Labour List blogging site I've wondered for ages why the right wing have a near monopoly on websites that feature tittle tattle and teasing of their political opponents. In truth these were a bit juvenile and inappropriate and some were in bad taste though I have to admit some were also brilliant and rather funny. The idea that this was some great smear campaign gives me and my internet work far too much credit and the idea that it was a big project orchestrated in Downing Street is ridiculous. Labour List A LABOUR BLOGGER'S VIEW Derek Draper, editor of Labour List blogging site I've wondered for ages why the right wing have a near monopoly on websites that feature tittle tattle and teasing of their political opponents. In truth these were a bit juvenile and inappropriate and some were in bad taste though I have to admit some were also brilliant and rather funny. The idea that this was some great smear campaign gives me and my internet work far too much credit and the idea that it was a big project orchestrated in Downing Street is ridiculous. Labour List
"His special adviser status meant he was allowed to give partisan - and sometimes strident - political briefings to journalists.""His special adviser status meant he was allowed to give partisan - and sometimes strident - political briefings to journalists."
Mr Staines told the BBC: "The e-mails are intended to be anonymous smears; they are obscene in cases, and would be impossible for a newspaper to publish. They're libellous and they're untrue."Mr Staines told the BBC: "The e-mails are intended to be anonymous smears; they are obscene in cases, and would be impossible for a newspaper to publish. They're libellous and they're untrue."
"In the e-mails, Damian McBride admits to using 'poetic licence'. He's a civil servant, he's exempt from the restrictions on being impartial and political, he's not exempt from telling the truth.""In the e-mails, Damian McBride admits to using 'poetic licence'. He's a civil servant, he's exempt from the restrictions on being impartial and political, he's not exempt from telling the truth."
Shadow home secretary Chris Grayling described the episode as "ludicrous".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?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?"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.""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."
Mr McBride, a special adviser in Downing Street, was removed from his job dealing with the media on a day-to-day basis 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 in September 2008.
He stayed on in Number 10, and was given responsibility for strategy and planning.He stayed on in Number 10, and was given responsibility for strategy and planning.