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Number 10 gets rid of PM's e-mail Number 10 gets rid of PM's e-mail
(about 3 hours later)
Downing Street has been criticised for ending a facility which allowed people to e-mail the prime minister.Downing Street has been criticised for ending a facility which allowed people to e-mail the prime minister.
The Number 10 website which Gordon Brown inherited from Tony Blair had an e-mail address where members of public could send messages to him.The Number 10 website which Gordon Brown inherited from Tony Blair had an e-mail address where members of public could send messages to him.
But now the site only offers a postal address and a fax number.But now the site only offers a postal address and a fax number.
Shadow cabinet office minister Francis Maude criticised suspending the e-mail link despite the website having links to social networks like Twitter.Shadow cabinet office minister Francis Maude criticised suspending the e-mail link despite the website having links to social networks like Twitter.
The beleaguered Prime Minister is literally retreating to his Downing Street bunker Shadow cabinet office minister Francis MaudeThe beleaguered Prime Minister is literally retreating to his Downing Street bunker Shadow cabinet office minister Francis Maude
A message on the Number 10 website says: "We have decided at this time that it is important to take another look at the Email Number 10 service to ensure that it meets the same high standards as the other content and communication measures that the website delivers."A message on the Number 10 website says: "We have decided at this time that it is important to take another look at the Email Number 10 service to ensure that it meets the same high standards as the other content and communication measures that the website delivers."
The government has spent £12,000 setting up a virtual Number 10 in the virtual world of the online game Second Life.
The game is the best-known virtual world on the internet. People are shown as digital versions of themselves, known as avatars, who can build homes and businesses, buy and sell land and have relationships.
Mr Maude said: "Gordon Brown is spending taxpayers' money on the latest digital gimmicks, from Twitter to Flickr, but can't be bothered to give out a simple email address.Mr Maude said: "Gordon Brown is spending taxpayers' money on the latest digital gimmicks, from Twitter to Flickr, but can't be bothered to give out a simple email address.
"The beleaguered Prime Minister is literally retreating to his Downing Street bunker, cutting himself off from an angry and disillusioned electorate."The beleaguered Prime Minister is literally retreating to his Downing Street bunker, cutting himself off from an angry and disillusioned electorate.
"In the depths of a recession, it is a waste of taxpayers' cash to be hiring a £160,000 a year head of digital engagement and setting up an office in the virtual world of Second Life." "In the depths of a recession, it is a waste of taxpayers' cash to be hiring a £160,000 a year head of digital engagement."
But Downing Street later said the e-mail facility had been temporarily withdrawn to facilitate security improvements and would be relaunched next week.