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Brown aide reveals PM slur anger Brown aide reveals PM slur anger
(about 4 hours later)
Damian McBride, the Downing Street aide who quit over Tory e-mail smears, says Gordon Brown was so angry about the messages he could hardly speak.Damian McBride, the Downing Street aide who quit over Tory e-mail smears, says Gordon Brown was so angry about the messages he could hardly speak.
In his first broadcast interview since he resigned, the former special adviser told the BBC he was ashamed of the lurid e-mails he wrote from Number 10.In his first broadcast interview since he resigned, the former special adviser told the BBC he was ashamed of the lurid e-mails he wrote from Number 10.
He left his post in April after a blogger revealed their contents.He left his post in April after a blogger revealed their contents.
Mr McBride said when he spoke to the prime minister about the messages there was no question he would have to leave. He said when he spoke to the prime minister about the messages Mr Brown "immediately agreed" he had to go.
The former adviser's job was to manage the way the press treated Mr Brown.The former adviser's job was to manage the way the press treated Mr Brown.
But e-mails he wrote from his Downing Street computer making false accusations about senior Conservatives landed on the front pages of the newspapers.But e-mails he wrote from his Downing Street computer making false accusations about senior Conservatives landed on the front pages of the newspapers.
Election 'mishandled'Election 'mishandled'
In the messages, Mr McBride made obscene and unfounded claims about David Cameron's and George Osborne's personal lives. In the messages, Mr McBride made offensive and unfounded claims about David Cameron's and George Osborne's personal lives.
He called the suggestions "a few ideas I've been working on for Red Rag" - a reference to a Labour website.He called the suggestions "a few ideas I've been working on for Red Rag" - a reference to a Labour website.
At the time of his resignation, Mr McBride apologised for the "inappropriate and juvenile content of my e-mails, and the offence they have caused".At the time of his resignation, Mr McBride apologised for the "inappropriate and juvenile content of my e-mails, and the offence they have caused".
Now, in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live's Victoria Derbyshire programme, as well as expressing his regret over the smears, he also admitted mishandling coverage of a mooted general election in the autumn of 2007.Now, in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live's Victoria Derbyshire programme, as well as expressing his regret over the smears, he also admitted mishandling coverage of a mooted general election in the autumn of 2007.
He goes on to accuse former government ministers, such as North Tyneside MP Stephen Byers, of vitriolic briefings against Mr Brown.He goes on to accuse former government ministers, such as North Tyneside MP Stephen Byers, of vitriolic briefings against Mr Brown.
Mr McBride, who had a reputation for staunchly defending his boss, admits it was part of his job to respond to those attacks.Mr McBride, who had a reputation for staunchly defending his boss, admits it was part of his job to respond to those attacks.
Listen to the full interview with Damian McBride on BBC Radio 5 Live from 1000 BST on Monday.Listen to the full interview with Damian McBride on BBC Radio 5 Live from 1000 BST on Monday.