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Key people in e-mail smear row Key people in e-mail smear row
(10 minutes later)
A senior government adviser has resigned after sending e-mails which contained unfounded claims about the personal lives of top Tories.A senior government adviser has resigned after sending e-mails which contained unfounded claims about the personal lives of top Tories.
Damian McBride apologised for the "inappropriate and juvenile" slurs on Conservative leader David Cameron and Shadow Chancellor George Osborne and said he accepted he had to step down.Damian McBride apologised for the "inappropriate and juvenile" slurs on Conservative leader David Cameron and Shadow Chancellor George Osborne and said he accepted he had to step down.
The furore has put the roles of political blogs under the microscope. BBC News looks at the key figures involved:The furore has put the roles of political blogs under the microscope. BBC News looks at the key figures involved:
DAMIAN MCBRIDE, EX-DOWNING STREET SPECIAL ADVISERDAMIAN MCBRIDE, EX-DOWNING STREET SPECIAL ADVISER
For years Cambridge-educated Damian McBride, 35, has been one of the prime minister's closest advisers.For years Cambridge-educated Damian McBride, 35, has been one of the prime minister's closest advisers.
He had first impressed Mr Brown with his handling of the 2000 fuel protests while a Treasury official and was made the department's head of communications three years later.He had first impressed Mr Brown with his handling of the 2000 fuel protests while a Treasury official and was made the department's head of communications three years later.
RESIGNATION STATEMENT I did not want these stories in the public domain - it is because Paul Staines has put them there, and I am sickened that he has done so Full resignation statement RESIGNATION STATEMENT I did not want these stories in the public domain - it is because Paul Staines has put them there, and I am sickened that he has done so Full resignation statement
Mr McBride was promoted to Mr Brown's special adviser in 2005 and swiftly gained a reputation for his tirades delivered via text message to journalists whose stories he disliked.Mr McBride was promoted to Mr Brown's special adviser in 2005 and swiftly gained a reputation for his tirades delivered via text message to journalists whose stories he disliked.
His special adviser status meant he was allowed to give partisan - and sometimes strident - political briefings to journalists and he earned the nickname "McPoison".His special adviser status meant he was allowed to give partisan - and sometimes strident - political briefings to journalists and he earned the nickname "McPoison".
When Mr Brown moved into Number 10, he took Mr McBride with him.When Mr Brown moved into Number 10, he took Mr McBride with him.
Despite long service helping to steer the prime minister through potentially dangerous political waters, he lost his job dealing with the media on a day-to-day basis following the resignation of former Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly in September 2008.Despite long service helping to steer the prime minister through potentially dangerous political waters, he lost his job dealing with the media on a day-to-day basis following the resignation of former Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly in September 2008.
News of Ms Kelly's departure had been leaked, angering senior Labour officials who felt its timing had detracted from the prime minister's party conference speech.News of Ms Kelly's departure had been leaked, angering senior Labour officials who felt its timing had detracted from the prime minister's party conference speech.
Mr McBride stayed on in Number 10, with responsibility for strategy and planning, until the smear scandal forced his departure.Mr McBride stayed on in Number 10, with responsibility for strategy and planning, until the smear scandal forced his departure.
GORDON BROWN, PRIME MINISTERGORDON BROWN, PRIME MINISTER
Following his widely heralded success at uniting world leaders at the G20 summit, the email smear row has provided Mr Brown with an unwelcome "back-to-earth" moment.Following his widely heralded success at uniting world leaders at the G20 summit, the email smear row has provided Mr Brown with an unwelcome "back-to-earth" moment.
The row is said to have irreparably damaged the prime minister's contention that he operates via a "moral compass" and that he hates government "spin".The row is said to have irreparably damaged the prime minister's contention that he operates via a "moral compass" and that he hates government "spin".
PM'S LETTER I am ready to take whatever action is necessary to improve our political system Gordon BrownPM'S LETTER I am ready to take whatever action is necessary to improve our political system Gordon Brown
This is because, although no-one seriously suggests that the prime minister knew about the specific content of the emails, critics say Mr Brown must have known about, and approved of, author Damien McBride's "style".This is because, although no-one seriously suggests that the prime minister knew about the specific content of the emails, critics say Mr Brown must have known about, and approved of, author Damien McBride's "style".
Journalists who have dealt with Mr McBride and other Gordon Brown advisers, like former spin-doctor Charlie Whelan, say the aborted smear strategy bore the hallmarks of the way Mr Brown's team has dealt with his enemies in the past.Journalists who have dealt with Mr McBride and other Gordon Brown advisers, like former spin-doctor Charlie Whelan, say the aborted smear strategy bore the hallmarks of the way Mr Brown's team has dealt with his enemies in the past.
They say Mr Brown's "attack dogs" are not afraid to brief against ministers or MPs seen as disloyal, and have bullied journalists who have written unsympathetic stories.They say Mr Brown's "attack dogs" are not afraid to brief against ministers or MPs seen as disloyal, and have bullied journalists who have written unsympathetic stories.
The prime minister, critics say, is not only damaged by guilt-by-association with Mr McBride, but must also answer for a long-standing practice of employing advisers known to use underhand tactics.The prime minister, critics say, is not only damaged by guilt-by-association with Mr McBride, but must also answer for a long-standing practice of employing advisers known to use underhand tactics.
For his part, Mr Brown has written to the head of the civil service, Sir Gus O'Donnell to say "no minister and no political adviser other than the person involved" had knowledge of Mr McBride's emails."For his part, Mr Brown has written to the head of the civil service, Sir Gus O'Donnell to say "no minister and no political adviser other than the person involved" had knowledge of Mr McBride's emails."
He added: "Any activity such as this that affects the reputation of our politics is a matter of great regret to me.He added: "Any activity such as this that affects the reputation of our politics is a matter of great regret to me.
"I am ready to take whatever action is necessary to improve our political system."I am ready to take whatever action is necessary to improve our political system.
"I think you will agree that all of us in public life have a responsibility to ensure that those we employ and who are in involved in our parties observe the highest standards.""I think you will agree that all of us in public life have a responsibility to ensure that those we employ and who are in involved in our parties observe the highest standards."
'SMEAR VICTIMS': GEORGE AND FRANCES OSBORNE, DAVID CAMERON, NADINE DORRIES MP'SMEAR VICTIMS': GEORGE AND FRANCES OSBORNE, DAVID CAMERON, NADINE DORRIES MP
Mr Brown was forced into hand-writing regretful letters to the intended victims of the smear campaign.Mr Brown was forced into hand-writing regretful letters to the intended victims of the smear campaign.
The prime minister was prompted to act once the unfounded allegations - described as "disgusting" by one of his own ministers - became widely known.The prime minister was prompted to act once the unfounded allegations - described as "disgusting" by one of his own ministers - became widely known.
Without going into detail, the stories that might have appeared on the proposed Labour Party blog are said to have included false rumours about the private lives of Conservative MPs, including Tory leader David Cameron. Without going into detail, the stories that might have appeared on the proposed Labour-friendly blog are said to have included false rumours about the private lives of Conservative MPs, including Tory leader David Cameron.
CONSERVATIVE LEADER David Cameron is furious about this... Gordon Brown owes an apology Conservative spokeswomanCONSERVATIVE LEADER David Cameron is furious about this... Gordon Brown owes an apology Conservative spokeswoman
He is said to be "furious" about the smear attempt and has called on Gordon Brown to apologise - something Mr Brown reportedly stopped short of in his letter. Mr Cameron is said to be "furious" about the smear attempt and has called on Gordon Brown to apologise - something Mr Brown reportedly stopped short of in his letter.
But generating the most outrage, and not only among Tories, is an unfounded smear about the wife of shadow chancellor George Osborne.But generating the most outrage, and not only among Tories, is an unfounded smear about the wife of shadow chancellor George Osborne.
Frances Osborne has now approached the Press Complaints Commission to report newspapers who repeated the false allegations in their Sunday editions.Frances Osborne has now approached the Press Complaints Commission to report newspapers who repeated the false allegations in their Sunday editions.
The attempt to smear the relative of a political enemy is seen as a particularly underhand tactic - even by seasoned observers of the world of dirty politics. The attempt to smear the relative of a political enemy is seen as a particularly underhand tactic - even by seasoned political observers.
Mrs Osborne's husband George is also the subject of a vicious and unfounded slur, as is Tory MP Nadine Dorries.Mrs Osborne's husband George is also the subject of a vicious and unfounded slur, as is Tory MP Nadine Dorries.
Ms Dorries, who previously attracted headlines for an unsuccessful attempt to reduce the time limit for abortions, condemned the attempt to smear her.Ms Dorries, who previously attracted headlines for an unsuccessful attempt to reduce the time limit for abortions, condemned the attempt to smear her.
The Conservative MP for Mid Bedfordshire is now said to have consulted her lawyers about a possible libel action because, she says, the allegations about her are completely untrue.The Conservative MP for Mid Bedfordshire is now said to have consulted her lawyers about a possible libel action because, she says, the allegations about her are completely untrue.
She told the BBC that the e-mails were "a matter of great regret", and accused Mr Brown's office of being "out of control". She told the BBC that the e-mails were "a matter of great regret", and accused Mr Brown's office of attaining "a new moral low".
The e-mails also contained accusations that an unnamed Tory MP was promoting his partner's business interests in the Commons.The e-mails also contained accusations that an unnamed Tory MP was promoting his partner's business interests in the Commons.
DEREK DRAPER, EDITOR OF LABOURLIST BLOGDEREK DRAPER, EDITOR OF LABOURLIST BLOG
A former aide to Lord Mandelson, ex-journalist and political lobbyist Derek Draper is no stranger to controversy.A former aide to Lord Mandelson, ex-journalist and political lobbyist Derek Draper is no stranger to controversy.
The 41-year-old, who described himself as coming "from a loving but poor working-class background" but confessed to a love of champagne, was a key cog in the New Labour machine which propelled Tony Blair to power.The 41-year-old, who described himself as coming "from a loving but poor working-class background" but confessed to a love of champagne, was a key cog in the New Labour machine which propelled Tony Blair to power.
PRO-LABOUR BLOGGER Are we really going to judge people for having silly ideas, even if they then put them in e-mails to mates? LabourList blog PRO-LABOUR BLOGGER Are we really going to judge people for having silly ideas, even if they then put them in e-mails to mates? LabourList blog
But he was fired in 1998 after a "cash for access" scandal which saw him boasting to an undercover reporter posing as a businessman about how "intimate" he was with key figures in Whitehall.But he was fired in 1998 after a "cash for access" scandal which saw him boasting to an undercover reporter posing as a businessman about how "intimate" he was with key figures in Whitehall.
He maintained he did nothing wrong, other than to be "a bit of a big mouth".He maintained he did nothing wrong, other than to be "a bit of a big mouth".
Mr Draper was also sacked from the Express for reportedly claiming his political column was vetted by Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, who at the time was Trade and Industry Secretary.Mr Draper was also sacked from the Express for reportedly claiming his political column was vetted by Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, who at the time was Trade and Industry Secretary.
After leaving politics, he retrained as a psychotherapist and married the GMTV presenter Kate Garraway. The couple are expecting their second child.After leaving politics, he retrained as a psychotherapist and married the GMTV presenter Kate Garraway. The couple are expecting their second child.
In 2008 he set up a campaigning website called LabourList and soon found himself embroiled in rows over the blogosphere with Guido Fawkes as his main antagonist.In 2008 he set up a campaigning website called LabourList and soon found himself embroiled in rows over the blogosphere with Guido Fawkes as his main antagonist.
His e-mail exchange with senior advisor Damian McBride was to mire Downing Street in controversy and cost his old friend his job.His e-mail exchange with senior advisor Damian McBride was to mire Downing Street in controversy and cost his old friend his job.
PAUL STAINES, WRITER OF GUIDO FAWKES' BLOGPAUL STAINES, WRITER OF GUIDO FAWKES' BLOG
Damian McBride's downfall will come as a major coup for subversive blogger Guido Fawkes, who admits he gets his kicks by ruffling feathers in Whitehall.Damian McBride's downfall will come as a major coup for subversive blogger Guido Fawkes, who admits he gets his kicks by ruffling feathers in Whitehall.
Having taken the name of the conspirator behind the Gunpowder Plot, Fawkes - real name Paul Staines - claims to write "from the perspective of the only man to enter Parliament with honest intentions".Having taken the name of the conspirator behind the Gunpowder Plot, Fawkes - real name Paul Staines - claims to write "from the perspective of the only man to enter Parliament with honest intentions".
CAMPAIGNING BLOGGER This is not just a spat... this is evidence of a long-term smear operation run out of Downing Street Guido Fawkes' blog CAMPAIGNING BLOGGER This is not just a spat... this is evidence of a long-term smear operation run out of Downing Street Guido Fawkes' blog
He says his blog exists "purely to make mischief at the expense of politicians" and for his own "gratification", attacking politicians of all colours and in both Houses of Parliament.He says his blog exists "purely to make mischief at the expense of politicians" and for his own "gratification", attacking politicians of all colours and in both Houses of Parliament.
When the site won an award from the Guardian newspaper, Mr Staines refused to accept the validity of its online poll and portrayed the paper as "trying to feed vampirically off the buzz and energy of the Blogosphere for whatever edgy cachet it has".When the site won an award from the Guardian newspaper, Mr Staines refused to accept the validity of its online poll and portrayed the paper as "trying to feed vampirically off the buzz and energy of the Blogosphere for whatever edgy cachet it has".
Since 2004, Guido's stock-in-trade is a mixture of tip-offs from Westminster insiders and humorous commentary.Since 2004, Guido's stock-in-trade is a mixture of tip-offs from Westminster insiders and humorous commentary.
In the wake of Mr McBride's departure, a gleeful post appeared on the blog. It read: "Mission Accomplished - McBride fired."In the wake of Mr McBride's departure, a gleeful post appeared on the blog. It read: "Mission Accomplished - McBride fired."