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Prescott was on standby over Iraq Campbell 'screwed up' over euro
(about 1 hour later)
Civil servants planned for a caretaker government led by John Prescott in case Tony Blair quit after losing a vote on the Iraq war, Alastair Campbell says. Newspapers were briefed without the PM's knowledge that the UK would not join the euro in Tony Blair's first term, according to Alastair Campbell.
Mr Blair's former spokesman has revealed that, in 2003, Cabinet Secretary Andrew Turnbull was "quietly looking into" the scheme. He said he and Gordon Brown's former adviser Charlie Whelan briefed the Times, thinking they had approval.
But Mr Blair had not approved it, and Mr Brown was "on the rampage" about the leak, Mr Campbell wrote in his diary.
In an October 1997 entry in his diary, published on Monday, Mr Campbell said he had "screwed up" over the story.
Mr Blair was thought to be keen to join the single European currency, but the chancellor was less enthusiastic.
He managed to seize control of the policy, and announced five economic tests which had to be met before he would recommend a referendum.
'Screwed up'
He and Mr Whelan agreed to brief the Times that the government was effectively ruling out UK entry into the euro for Labour's first Parliament.
I suddenly realised that because I had not really checked and double-checked with TB, we had briefed an enormous story on the basis of a cock-up Alistair Campbell's diary
But when the headline "Blair rules out single currency for this Parliament" appeared, Mr Blair called Mr Campbell.
"It was all quiet until after 10, when TB called after he had seen the news and said what the hell is going on?" wrote Mr Campbell.
"'We never agreed this', he said. I said I thought they had.
"I suddenly realised that because I had not really checked and double-checked with TB, we had briefed an enormous story on the basis of a cock-up."
'On the rampage'
He went on to write that Mr Blair could not get hold of Mr Brown, so contacted Mr Whelan.
"TB asked if we had ruled out EMU (European monetary union) this Parliament. Yes, said Charlie. 'Is that not what you want?'. No it is not, said TB. 'Oh' said Charlie.
"GB was also now on the rampage, saying this had all gone too far, as if suddenly the headline he had been asking for was not what he had asked for at all."
Mr Prescott could have replaced Mr Blair, Alastair Campbell says
A few days later Mr Brown confirmed, in a statement in the House of Commons, that Britain would not be among the first wave of countries joining the euro.
The diary covers events from 1994 when Mr Campbell was recruited as Mr Blair's press secretary, to 2003, when he resigned as the PM's spokesman.
Among other disclosures it says civil servants had planned for a caretaker government led by John Prescott in case Tony Blair quit after losing a vote on the Iraq war.
'What ifs'
In 2003 Cabinet Secretary Andrew Turnbull was "quietly looking into" the scheme.
Staff met to discuss several "what-ifs", Mr Campbell's diary says.Staff met to discuss several "what-ifs", Mr Campbell's diary says.
Mr Blair eventually won the Commons vote on the war, but with 139 Labour MPs rebelling against the government.Mr Blair eventually won the Commons vote on the war, but with 139 Labour MPs rebelling against the government.
'Have to go'
In his diary, published on Monday, Mr Campbell recounts a meeting of Mr Blair and senior 10 Downing Street staff in March 2003 "to go through some of the what-ifs, including him (TB) going if we lost a vote".
"TB said he felt that there had to be a vote on a second resolution and if it was about the use of troops and he lost a vote on that, he would have to go."
Mr Campbell goes on: "The Tories were making clear they would support us on a war motion but not on a confidence motion.
I've never really worked out why I provoked such strong reactions. Alastair Campbell Extracts: Campbell's DiariesI've never really worked out why I provoked such strong reactions. Alastair Campbell Extracts: Campbell's Diaries
"Andrew Turnbull was quietly looking into how a JP caretaker premiership would operate."
In Cabinet the day before the crucial Commons vote on military action, Deputy Prime Minister Mr Prescott and Labour Party chairman John Reid "looked physically sick", the book also says.In Cabinet the day before the crucial Commons vote on military action, Deputy Prime Minister Mr Prescott and Labour Party chairman John Reid "looked physically sick", the book also says.
Its publication comes less than two weeks after Mr Blair left office.
The book describes the Cabinet meeting the day before the MPs' vote in 2003 and following Commons Leader Robin Cook's resignation over Iraq.The book describes the Cabinet meeting the day before the MPs' vote in 2003 and following Commons Leader Robin Cook's resignation over Iraq.
'No going back'
Mr Reid, who stepped down at the same time as Mr Blair, warned ministers "we will be judged by the Iraq that replaces Saddam's Iraq, and by the Middle East".Mr Reid, who stepped down at the same time as Mr Blair, warned ministers "we will be judged by the Iraq that replaces Saddam's Iraq, and by the Middle East".
Clare Short told the meeting that she was "going to have my little agonising overnight. I owe it to you".Clare Short told the meeting that she was "going to have my little agonising overnight. I owe it to you".
She did not resign at that time, but did quit as international development secretary several weeks later in protest at the plans for Iraq's reconstruction.
'No going back'
Mr Campbell writes: "All of us, I think, had had pretty severe moments of doubt but he [Mr Blair] hadn't really, or if he had he had hidden them even from us.Mr Campbell writes: "All of us, I think, had had pretty severe moments of doubt but he [Mr Blair] hadn't really, or if he had he had hidden them even from us.
"Now there was no going back at all."
The give away is in the book's title which speaks of "extracts" BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full The give away is in the book's title which speaks of "extracts" BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full
"Now there was no going back at all."
Mr Campbell also reveals that in 2002 Mr Blair was considering resigning before the 2005 general election.Mr Campbell also reveals that in 2002 Mr Blair was considering resigning before the 2005 general election.
He has admitted removing references to Gordon Brown to stop Tory leader David Cameron thinking he had "a gold-mine to use against the new Labour prime minister".He has admitted removing references to Gordon Brown to stop Tory leader David Cameron thinking he had "a gold-mine to use against the new Labour prime minister".
The book leaves out much detail of the relationship between Mr Brown and Mr Blair. Mr Campbell told BBC Radio 4's Today programme these diaries were "the first chapter of a record that I intend to put into the public domain".The book leaves out much detail of the relationship between Mr Brown and Mr Blair. Mr Campbell told BBC Radio 4's Today programme these diaries were "the first chapter of a record that I intend to put into the public domain".
Asked if he was to blame for the breakdown in relations between Downing Street and much of the media during the 10 years Mr Blair has been prime minister, he said there had been "extraordinary expectations" at first, but that "politics is not about euphoria or elation".
Mr Campbell was also critical of much of the coverage of politics: "The media, I think now... the centre of gravity has gone to a place where they only do hero or zero."
Asked about rows with journalists, he said: "I've never really worked out why I provoked such strong reactions."Asked about rows with journalists, he said: "I've never really worked out why I provoked such strong reactions."
He also played down the significance of any changes in the workings of the Downing Street communications unit made by Gordon Brown since he became prime minister.