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Darling 'hit by forces of hell' Darling 'hit by forces of hell'
(30 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.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". A Conservative spokesman said: "The idea that Gordon Brown runs a happy and united team has been blown apart tonight.
'Was true' "This is amazing public confirmation from the prime minister's own chancellor that he ordered his henchmen to brief against him."
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. 'Still here'
There were also suggestions Mr Darling might be reshuffled to make way for Schools Secretary Ed Balls, a close ally of Mr Brown. In August 2008, Mr Darling caused a political uproar when he said economic conditions were "arguably the worst they've been in 60 years".
Following this, 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 Ed Balls, the Schools Secretary and a close ally of Mr Brown.
I do not know why the briefers did what they did. One day maybe they will explain Alistair DarlingI 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". Questioned by Sky News about the response to his comments, 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. 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.
"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. "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.""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."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''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 McBride was forced to resign last year after a planned smear campaign against senior Conservatives 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.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.""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".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.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.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.