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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Darling 'hit by forces of hell' | Darling 'hit by forces of hell' |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Chancellor Alistair Darling has said 10 Downing Street staff unleashed "the forces of hell" when he forecast the worst recession for 60 years. | |
| Speaking about briefings against him by supporters of the prime minister in 2008, he told Sky News: "Of course, there were people saying things." | Speaking about briefings against him by supporters of the prime minister in 2008, he told Sky News: "Of course, there were people saying things." |
| But Mr Darling rejected suggestions he had been bullied by Gordon Brown. | But Mr Darling rejected suggestions he had been bullied by Gordon Brown. |
| There had been "robust exchanges" but these were part of a "healthy relationship", he added. | There had been "robust exchanges" but these were part of a "healthy relationship", he added. |
| In august 2008, Mr Darling caused a political uproar when he said economic conditions were "arguably the worst they've been in 60 years". | |
| 'Was true' | |
| Following this prediction about the scale of the recession, there were media reports that 10 Downing Street was unhappy with his analysis and his handling of the economy. | |
| There were also suggestions Mr Darling might be reshuffled to make way for Schools Secretary Ed Balls, a close ally of Mr Brown. | |
| I do not know why the briefers did what they did. One day maybe they will explain Alistair Darling | |
| Questioned by Sky News about the response to his prediction, Mr Darling said that "the forces of hell were unleashed". | |
| And asked whether that had been orchestrated by 10 Downing Street, he said: "The Tories as well. | |
| "It was a weekend you could have done without. I do not know why the briefers did what they did. One day maybe they will explain. | |
| "What I do know is, unfortunately and it's not a great source of pleasure, but what I said did turn out to be true." | |
| In an apparent reference to Mr Brown's former spin doctor Damian McBride, the chancellor added: "Frankly, my best answer for them is, I'm still here, one of them is not." | |
| 'Differences' | |
| Mr McBride was forced to resign last year after a planned smear campaign against senior Tories emerged in leaked e-mails he had written. | |
| Mr Darling rejected suggestions he had ever been bullied by Mr Brown, but said: "Of course, Gordon and I have some very robust exchanges. | |
| "I can't imagine any healthy relationship between a prime minister and a chancellor where they don't have differences from time to time." | |
| He admitted there had been "some bad days" in his relationship with the prime minister but insisted there was more that united the two men than would "ever divide us". | |
| Mr Darling's comments follow allegations in political journalist Andrew Rawnsley's book that Mr McBride and Charlie Whelan, another Brown supporter, had been behind the briefing. | |
| Both Mr McBride and Mr Whelan, a senior official with the Unite union, had their names put to the chancellor in the Sky News, but he did not refer to either directly. |