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No 10 apology over 'slur' e-mail No 10 apology over 'slur' e-mail
(40 minutes later)
Downing Street has apologised for e-mails sent by one of Gordon Brown's senior officials which reportedly discussed smearing senior Tories. Downing Street has apologised for e-mails sent by one of Gordon Brown's senior officials which reportedly discussed smearing top Tories.
The Daily Telegraph says the e-mails found their way to Paul Staines, writer of the Guido Fawkes blog.The Daily Telegraph says the e-mails found their way to Paul Staines, writer of the Guido Fawkes blog.
BBC political correspondent Laura Kuenssburg said she understood their author to be Damien McBride, the prime minister's ex-political press officer.
A Number 10 spokesman said the messages were "juvenile and inappropriate".A Number 10 spokesman said the messages were "juvenile and inappropriate".
The Tories said it was "absurd" that advisers were "plotting smear campaigns rather than focusing on how to help people affected by the downturn".The Tories said it was "absurd" that advisers were "plotting smear campaigns rather than focusing on how to help people affected by the downturn".
'Appropriate use''Appropriate use'
The Daily Telegraph said the e-mails included unfounded allegations about Conservative leader David Cameron and shadow chancellor George Osborne.The Daily Telegraph said the e-mails included unfounded allegations about Conservative leader David Cameron and shadow chancellor George Osborne.
Their author, who has not been named, was thought to have sent them to former government spin doctor Derek Draper, who runs a pro-Labour blog. Their author was thought to have sent them to former government spin doctor Derek Draper, who runs a pro-Labour blog.
BBC political correspondent Laura Kuenssburg said it was not clear how the e-mails ended up with Mr Staines, who has traded insults with Mr Draper. It is understood that the official at the centre of the row has had to apologise to colleagues.
The official at the centre of the row has had to apologise to colleagues, our correspondent added. Mr McBride, a special adviser in Downing Street, was removed from his job dealing with the media on a day-to-day basis following the resignation of former Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly's in September 2008.
The handling of her departure from government was widely seen as chaotic, our correspondent said.
But Mr McBride stayed on in Number 10, and was given responsibility for strategy and planning.
Our correspondent said Mr McBride, who has worked for Gordon Brown for many years, became unpopular with some MP s for his trenchant briefings to journalists
She added that it was not clear how the e-mails ended up with Mr Staines, who has traded insults with Mr Draper.
A spokesman for Downing Street said: "Neither the prime minister nor anybody else in Downing Street, except the author, knew anything about any of these private emails.A spokesman for Downing Street said: "Neither the prime minister nor anybody else in Downing Street, except the author, knew anything about any of these private emails.
"The author of these emails has apologised for their juvenile and inappropriate nature and for the embarrassment caused."The author of these emails has apologised for their juvenile and inappropriate nature and for the embarrassment caused.
"All staff will be reminded of the appropriate use of Number 10 resources.""All staff will be reminded of the appropriate use of Number 10 resources."