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David Cameron's No 10 staff accused of 'obsessive control' of PM's image by regional newspaper editor | |
(35 minutes later) | |
David Cameron’s staff have been accused of “absolutely obsessive” control of his image by a regional newspaper editor. | David Cameron’s staff have been accused of “absolutely obsessive” control of his image by a regional newspaper editor. |
Simon O’Neill, the editor of the Oxford Mail, alleges staff were told they would not be allowed to publish images of Mr Cameron opening a charity café in Whitney on Friday, which they had been invited to cover by the PM’s constituency office, until the photographs had been approved by Number 10 staff. | |
Mr O’Neill claims that his staff felt “bewildered and insulted” by Mr Cameron’s staff after a series of interventions over the publication of images of the Prime Minister. | |
The newspaper later ignored the alleged request and published images of Mr Cameron in their Saturday spread. | The newspaper later ignored the alleged request and published images of Mr Cameron in their Saturday spread. |
Mr O’Neill claims it is the latest in a series of incidences that have seen the PM’s image staff managed to a “ludicrous” degree. | Mr O’Neill claims it is the latest in a series of incidences that have seen the PM’s image staff managed to a “ludicrous” degree. |
“There is an absolutely obsessive Number 10 control of Cameron and his image, and everything he says and does is stage-managed to a ludicrous degree,” he told Hold the Front Page. | “There is an absolutely obsessive Number 10 control of Cameron and his image, and everything he says and does is stage-managed to a ludicrous degree,” he told Hold the Front Page. |
Mr O’Neill says it is particularly ridiculous given that the stories covered are “good news” pieces. | |
“We’ve had problems for some time now and staff are bewildered and they feel insulted by it because they’re just trying to do their job,” he continued. | |
During the general election, Mr Cameron and the Conservative party were criticised for their treatment of local newspapers, after reporters and photographers complained that they lacked access to candidates. | During the general election, Mr Cameron and the Conservative party were criticised for their treatment of local newspapers, after reporters and photographers complained that they lacked access to candidates. |
A spokesperson for Number 10 Downing Street denied the Oxford Mail’s claims, telling The Independent that it was “categorically untrue” that they had requested approval of the images. | A spokesperson for Number 10 Downing Street denied the Oxford Mail’s claims, telling The Independent that it was “categorically untrue” that they had requested approval of the images. |
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