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Tories demand slur e-mail apology Tories demand slur e-mail apology
(about 5 hours later)
The Conservatives are continuing to demand an apology from Gordon Brown for e-mails sent by a former adviser which discussed smearing senior Tories.The Conservatives are continuing to demand an apology from Gordon Brown for e-mails sent by a former adviser which discussed smearing senior Tories.
Damian McBride quit his Downing Street post after his unfounded claims about Tory leader David Cameron and shadow chancellor George Osborne became known.Damian McBride quit his Downing Street post after his unfounded claims about Tory leader David Cameron and shadow chancellor George Osborne became known.
Mr Brown has expressed "deep regret" in letters to those involved and called for a tighter aides' code of conduct.Mr Brown has expressed "deep regret" in letters to those involved and called for a tighter aides' code of conduct.
But Tory sources say the messages did not contain the public apology needed.But Tory sources say the messages did not contain the public apology needed.
A spokeswoman for Conservative leader David Cameron said the handwritten letters received from the prime minister on Monday showed he had "finally recognised the gravity of what's been happening in Downing Street".A spokeswoman for Conservative leader David Cameron said the handwritten letters received from the prime minister on Monday showed he had "finally recognised the gravity of what's been happening in Downing Street".
In the letters, Mr Brown insisted no ministers had been involved in the e-mail conversation.In the letters, Mr Brown insisted no ministers had been involved in the e-mail conversation.
But BBC political correspondent Laura Kuenssberg said Tory party sources suggested the letters did not go far enough and were unlikely to reduce pressure on Mr Brown.But BBC political correspondent Laura Kuenssberg said Tory party sources suggested the letters did not go far enough and were unlikely to reduce pressure on Mr Brown.
'Prevent a repeat''Prevent a repeat'
The Conservatives have called on Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell to clarify who knew about the proposal to set up the Labour website, Red Rag, where it was suggested the smears be published.The Conservatives have called on Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell to clarify who knew about the proposal to set up the Labour website, Red Rag, where it was suggested the smears be published.
One can only imagine how furious the prime minister was being forced to take up his pen to write such a note Analysis: Scandal hard to shake
Shadow cabinet minister Francis Maude said the case raised "serious concerns" about the entire Number 10 operation.Shadow cabinet minister Francis Maude said the case raised "serious concerns" about the entire Number 10 operation.
Mr McBride had used his Downing Street account when he sent the "inappropriate and juvenile" e-mails in January to former government spin doctor Derek Draper.Mr McBride had used his Downing Street account when he sent the "inappropriate and juvenile" e-mails in January to former government spin doctor Derek Draper.
Mr Draper runs the LabourList blog and was proposing to set up Red Rag, a new gossip-led site. The idea was later abandoned.Mr Draper runs the LabourList blog and was proposing to set up Red Rag, a new gossip-led site. The idea was later abandoned.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme Brown's smear row letter in full
However, the e-mails came to the attention of Paul Staines, author of the "anti-politics" Guido Fawkes blog, who revealed their existence. The row that followed forced Mr McBride's resignation on Saturday.However, the e-mails came to the attention of Paul Staines, author of the "anti-politics" Guido Fawkes blog, who revealed their existence. The row that followed forced Mr McBride's resignation on Saturday.
Mr McBride resigned on Saturday over the e-mails As well as writing to those named in the e-mails, Mr Brown wrote to the cabinet secretary, saying he was ready to take "whatever action is required" to prevent a repeat of the incident.
As well as writing to those named in the e-mails, Mr Brown also wrote to the cabinet secretary, saying he was ready to take "whatever action is required" to prevent a repeat of the incident.
He called for anyone caught "disseminating inappropriate material" to automatically lose their jobs and suggested special advisers should not be allowed to use official resources for party political purposes.He called for anyone caught "disseminating inappropriate material" to automatically lose their jobs and suggested special advisers should not be allowed to use official resources for party political purposes.
But backbench Conservative MP Nadine Dorries, who was the focus of some of the e-mail correspondence, said the current code of conduct already included safeguards to prevent such behaviour.But backbench Conservative MP Nadine Dorries, who was the focus of some of the e-mail correspondence, said the current code of conduct already included safeguards to prevent such behaviour.
People wanted to see the existing code adhered to rather than "spinning new rhetoric about writing a new code", she said.People wanted to see the existing code adhered to rather than "spinning new rhetoric about writing a new code", she said.
Communities Secretary Hazel Blears told the BBC: "The emails that were sent by Damian McBride were utterly unacceptable. The prime minister's made that crystal clear.
"Damian McBride has gone through the door in pretty sharp order. The prime minister's written personally to the people involved, expressing great regret about what's happened, and he's toughening up the code for special advisers.
"Now that says to me that the prime minister, who knew nothing about these emails, has taken action on every single front here.
"What the British people really want to know about is what are your policies to get us through this difficult economic time and not simply this kind of horrible, salacious gossip about individuals."