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Breaking: The Hutton Enquiry claims its first Government scalp
The flying mud claims its first victim, and itâs a very big fish: (the unsmiling) half of the Blair symbiont.Alastair Campbell is to resign as the governmentâs director of communications and strategy. Mr Campbellâs decision was announced by Downing Street shortly after 1430 BST on Friday. He said: "It has been an enormous privilege to work so closely in opposition and in government for someone I believe history will judge as a great transforming prime minister." Nope, sorry. Mr Campbell said his family had paid a price for his role and said his partner, Fiona Millar, would be leaving No 10 at the same time "in a few weeks". Mr Campbell [said] he planned to write, broadcast and make speeches, but did not want to take on "another big job". Tony Blair paid tribute to his media chief, saying he was "an immensely able, fearless, loyal servant of the cause he believes in who was dedicated not only to that cause but to his country ... he was, is, and will remain a good friend." The dramatic announcement comes amid the Hutton inquiry into the death of weapons expert Dr David Kelly. Mr Campbell gave evidence to the inquiry last week over the BBC report that Downing Street had "sexed up" the Iraq arms dossier. Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said Mr Campbell had been talking to him for the last 12 months about resigning. Pure, unadulterated coincidence then... No successor for Mr Campbell has been named and no departure date has been set. Mr Campbell started working with Mr Blair after he became Labour leader in 1994. He became the prime ministerâs official spokesman after Labourâs election victory in 1997. He moved to his role as communications director in 2001. Posted by: Bulldog 2003-08-29 |
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