Even then, he had too much of a reputation for enjoying drinking late into the night with journalists. People in these exposed positions can drink with journalists if they must, but should never, ever, enjoy it. Gathering and passing on political intelligence is a duty that people around the Prime Minister have to perform. It is not a game to be played for fun.Brown Was Warned About McBride
Iain Dale 11:05 AM
McBride is a man of parts. When I dealt with him professionally, I was always impressed by how quickly and succinctly he replied to queries. And yet, though I do not normally consider it my business to intervene in the political process, I did attempt two years ago to convey a message to Gordon Brown, through one of his trustees, that it would be unwise to move McBride from the Treasury to the highly exposed position of official spokesman for the Prime Minister.
McSmith wasn't the only one to express discomfort at McBride's activities.
Lord (Dale) Campbell-Savours has been running a one man campaign against McBride ever since he tried to bully Sky News over their coverage of the 2006 Pre Budget report and smeared two Labour MPs. He tabled several questions, both oral and written, in the House of Lords in early 2007 (the Hansard website isn't working for me so I can't locate them). They allege that McBride broke the civil service code by his actions. But Gordon Brown took no action against his licensed pitbull.
By ye actions, shall ye be judged.EXCLUSIVE: Brown's Mendacity Over Gus O'Donnell Letter
Iain Dale 9:52 AM
The Committee on Standards in Public Life has held at least two inquiries into the role of Special Advisers in recent years. I think one was sparked off by the Jo Moore "burying bad news" episode. They came up with firm proposals to define the role of SPADs which they asked the government to include in a Civil Service Bill. Indeed, Labour, in its 1997 manifesto was committed to doing just that - but never has. I know that a draft Bill is in existence but the government refuses to bring it before Parliament. Why would that be, I wonder? It can't be because there is a heavy legislative programme. There isn't. MPs have the lightest workload in living memory and regularly clock off early because there are no votes.
At the last election the Committee on Standards in Public Life asked all three party leaders to sign up to introducing a Civil Service Bill. They all did. But guess what? Labour has reneged? It is no use saying, oh well. Brown wasn't party leader then because he made a big deal out of reforming our political system when he took over.
So let's not listen to Brown's weasel words on this. He had the chance to reform the system ages ago and funked it.
Tuesday, 14 April 2009
Andy McSmith writes in The Independent today that he tried to warn Gordon Brown and the Labour hierarchy about Damian McBride.
Yesterday's letter from Gordon Brown to Gus O'Donnell was indeed a smokescreen, as the Tories have been alleging. Why? Firstly, because there is nothing in the current rules which fails to prevent the sort of mudslinging Damian McBride has been involved in, it's just that the rules haven't been implemented. And secondly, consider this.
Posts
