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Juvenile and inappropriate - Isn't that...
The Government? 1 (100%)
The emails? 0 (0%)
The Tories? 0 (0%)
Total Votes: 1
No. 10 Apologises For Slur Emails
Topic Started: Apr 11 2009, 10:42 AM (135 Views)
Thyunda
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Quote:
 
Downing Street has apologised for e-mails sent by one of Gordon Brown's senior officials which reportedly discussed smearing top Conservatives.

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 Damian McBride, the prime minister's ex-political press officer.

A Number 10 spokesman said the messages were "juvenile and inappropriate".

'Ludicrous'

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 Daily Telegraph said the e-mails included unfounded allegations about Conservative leader David Cameron and shadow chancellor George Osborne.

Their author was thought to have sent them to former government spin doctor Derek Draper, who runs a pro-Labour blog.

Shouldn't Downing Street officials be concentrating on the challenges we face as a nation?
Chris Grayling, shadow home secretary

It is understood that the official at the centre of the row has had to apologise to colleagues.

Shadow home secretary Chris Grayling described the episode as "ludicrous".

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We are in the middle of the biggest economic crisis for half a century. Is this really the best Downing Street can do?

"Shouldn't they surely be thinking about national issues, shouldn't Downing Street officials be concentrating on the challenges we face as a nation?

"To think that they are sitting in Downing Street putting together ludicrous stories about Conservative MPs that they can put round as tittle-tattle just beggars belief."

'Chaotic'

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 MPs 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.

"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."
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King Crimson
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All three are juvenile. Labour for sending, e-mails for being sent and the Tories for trying to make them look bad for it even though if anything they care less about those who would actually be affected.
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Thyunda
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I think they're making too big a deal over some words on a computer monitor.
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King Crimson
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At the end of the day, what do they expect? This stuff goes on all the time, it's just that someone wrote down "let's make him look stupid" this time. Considering the Tories respond by trying to make Labour look irresponsible, I fail to see any moral fibre on either side....
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Thyunda
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It's much the same in America.
You see, if a Presidential candidate publicly reveals that they are atheist, they may as well give up and go home.
If an MP reveals any hint of moral fibre, they HAVE to go home.
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King Crimson
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Well, not neccesarily. You see, they can show morals, but then must immediately conduct cosmetics-based animal testing on Scooby-Doo whilst angrily beating a handicapped 5-year old....
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