This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7999671.stm
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| E-mail smears 'a serious breach' | E-mail smears 'a serious breach' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Former Downing Street adviser Damian McBride's actions were a "clear and serious breach" of Whitehall rules, the head of the civil service has said. | Former Downing Street adviser Damian McBride's actions were a "clear and serious breach" of Whitehall rules, the head of the civil service has said. |
| Sir Gus O'Donnell said "strengthened" guidance had been issued to department heads on codes of conduct on Wednesday. | Sir Gus O'Donnell said "strengthened" guidance had been issued to department heads on codes of conduct on Wednesday. |
| Special advisers caught "disseminating inappropriate material" are to be automatically sacked under new rules. | Special advisers caught "disseminating inappropriate material" are to be automatically sacked under new rules. |
| Mr McBride quit after it emerged he had made unfounded e-mail allegations about senior Conservative politicians. | Mr McBride quit after it emerged he had made unfounded e-mail allegations about senior Conservative politicians. |
| In a letter to shadow Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude, Sir Gus said such behaviour "cannot and has not been tolerated" and fell "far short" of people's expectations. | In a letter to shadow Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude, Sir Gus said such behaviour "cannot and has not been tolerated" and fell "far short" of people's expectations. |
| 'Broader activity' | 'Broader activity' |
| Mr Maude had asked a series of questions about who knew what about e-mails from Mr McBride to former government spin doctor Derek Draper. | Mr Maude had asked a series of questions about who knew what about e-mails from Mr McBride to former government spin doctor Derek Draper. |
| They contained allegations about Tory leader David Cameron and shadow chancellor George Osborne among others which, it was suggested, could be published on a Labour-backing gossip-led website called Red Rag. | They contained allegations about Tory leader David Cameron and shadow chancellor George Osborne among others which, it was suggested, could be published on a Labour-backing gossip-led website called Red Rag. |
| It isn't about strengthening the code that matters, it's about changing the culture around Downing Street and around Gordon Brown Nick GibbConservatives Slur MP condemns No 10 'cesspit' Key people in e-mail smear row Analysis: Who are special advisers? | It isn't about strengthening the code that matters, it's about changing the culture around Downing Street and around Gordon Brown Nick GibbConservatives Slur MP condemns No 10 'cesspit' Key people in e-mail smear row Analysis: Who are special advisers? |
| Mr Maude questioned the role of Cabinet Office minister Tom Watson - who has issued a statement through lawyers saying he had "no involvement in or knowledge of" proposals to set up Red Rag - since abandoned. | Mr Maude questioned the role of Cabinet Office minister Tom Watson - who has issued a statement through lawyers saying he had "no involvement in or knowledge of" proposals to set up Red Rag - since abandoned. |
| He also asked about the terms of departure of Mr McBride and whether the e-mails were part of a "broader pattern of activity by other special advisers". | He also asked about the terms of departure of Mr McBride and whether the e-mails were part of a "broader pattern of activity by other special advisers". |
| In his reply, Sir Gus said Mr McBride was "no longer employed as a special adviser" and "has not received severance pay". | In his reply, Sir Gus said Mr McBride was "no longer employed as a special adviser" and "has not received severance pay". |
| He said Mr Watson had "made his own position clear" and the prime minister had made clear "that he has been assured that no minister or political adviser other than Damian McBride had any knowledge of, or involvement in, the e-mails". | He said Mr Watson had "made his own position clear" and the prime minister had made clear "that he has been assured that no minister or political adviser other than Damian McBride had any knowledge of, or involvement in, the e-mails". |
| 'Despicable' emails | 'Despicable' emails |
| He also said he had written to the heads of all Whitehall departments with "strengthened" guidance on codes of conduct. Special advisers will be required to sign an undertaking that they are aware of the new guidance. | He also said he had written to the heads of all Whitehall departments with "strengthened" guidance on codes of conduct. Special advisers will be required to sign an undertaking that they are aware of the new guidance. |
| For the Conservatives, shadow schools minister Nick Gibb said the old code had banned personal attacks and the whole affair demonstrated "something very specific to Gordon Brown". | For the Conservatives, shadow schools minister Nick Gibb said the old code had banned personal attacks and the whole affair demonstrated "something very specific to Gordon Brown". |
| "It isn't about strengthening the code that matters, it's about changing the culture around Downing Street and around Gordon Brown," he said. | |
| These people are hand-picked by Gordon Brown and are working by his side Nick CleggLiberal Democrats | |
| "That same culture of spinning and briefing against individual politicians, whether they're Conservative or fellow Labour politicians, has been the hallmark of Gordon Brown when he was chancellor, when he was undermining the prime minister, Tony Blair ... and he's taken that approach to Downing Street himself." | "That same culture of spinning and briefing against individual politicians, whether they're Conservative or fellow Labour politicians, has been the hallmark of Gordon Brown when he was chancellor, when he was undermining the prime minister, Tony Blair ... and he's taken that approach to Downing Street himself." |
| Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said the episode showed an "appalling lack of judgment on Gordon Brown's behalf". | |
| "These people are hand-picked by Gordon Brown and are working by his side," he said. | |
| "For them, at the tail end of this fag-end government, to be indulging in that kind of sordid smear tactics says a lot about his lack of judgement and the rot at the heart of government." | |
| Schools Secretary Ed Balls told the BBC that the e-mails had been "vile, despicable and horrible" but all sides needed to look closely at those they employed and what tactics they used in order to "raise standards". | Schools Secretary Ed Balls told the BBC that the e-mails had been "vile, despicable and horrible" but all sides needed to look closely at those they employed and what tactics they used in order to "raise standards". |
| As well as writing to those named in the e-mails to express his "deep regret", Mr Brown sent a letter to Sir Gus, 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 to express his "deep regret", Mr Brown sent a letter to Sir Gus, saying he was ready to take "whatever action is required" to prevent a repeat of the incident. |
| Meanwhile, the Times newspaper has reported that the Red Rag website was set up by someone giving the name "Ollie Cromwell" and the House of Commons as their address. | Meanwhile, the Times newspaper has reported that the Red Rag website was set up by someone giving the name "Ollie Cromwell" and the House of Commons as their address. |
| Easily internet, which registered the site, confirmed that was the address given and is looking into whether its terms and conditions were breached. | |