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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Blair aides deny 'shambles' memo | Blair aides deny 'shambles' memo |
| (about 12 hours later) | |
| Downing Street has denied any connection with an internal memo which seems to admit the government is seen as a "shambles". | Downing Street has denied any connection with an internal memo which seems to admit the government is seen as a "shambles". |
| The denial follows a Mail on Sunday report that the document was prepared for the prime minister by senior aides. | The denial follows a Mail on Sunday report that the document was prepared for the prime minister by senior aides. |
| Moreover, the memo also warns that Chancellor Gordon Brown's position is "eroding" against the Tory party. | |
| Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott also dismissed the memo and suggested its author might be a party underling. | |
| Mr Blair's spokesman said: "This is not a Downing Street memo." | Mr Blair's spokesman said: "This is not a Downing Street memo." |
| He added: "It was not written by any of the prime minister's staff and it most certainly does not reflect his views." | He added: "It was not written by any of the prime minister's staff and it most certainly does not reflect his views." |
| Meanwhile, speaking on the BBC's Sunday AM programme, Mr Prescott added: "It's been emphatically denied by Number 10 that it is anybody in Number 10. | |
| "I can't be sure that it might not be a teenybopper on the side giving some kind of information and advice." | |
| The document allegedly expresses concern that the party is viewed as riven by "internal conflicts" and lacking "grip and competence on vital issues". | The document allegedly expresses concern that the party is viewed as riven by "internal conflicts" and lacking "grip and competence on vital issues". |
| And it is said to insist that the party is running out of time to avoid electoral disaster. | And it is said to insist that the party is running out of time to avoid electoral disaster. |
| Downing Street sources also insisted that the memo had not been prepared by any of the prime minister's special advisers or other Labour Party-funded staff in his personal office. | Downing Street sources also insisted that the memo had not been prepared by any of the prime minister's special advisers or other Labour Party-funded staff in his personal office. |