"Conservative MP Lee Scott asked if the government has received any informal briefings from the disgraced former spin doctor Damian McBride. Gordon Brown replied "I have not"."
I explained that:
"Clearly the follow-up questions should be:
Has anyone else in the Cabinet or working in or for the Labour government received any briefings from Damian McBride whether formal or informal?"
And I reported that:
"In case you are not aware of the background to this story, The Scotsman on Sunday reported that (my emphasis): "LABOUR sources have claimed that disgraced spin doctor Damian McBride has begun operating once again behind the scenes for Labour government.
Just weeks after McBride was forced to resign after writing an e-mail suggesting that Conservative leaders be smeared, insiders say the former special adviser is actively working for ministers again.
Downing Street last night insisted McBride had not returned. But one respected party figure said that while the former adviser was not working at Number 10, he was engaged in informal briefings once again." "
Today The Telegraph reports that:
"A Downing Street staff member ... has leaked just how close Gordon Brown and Damian McBride remain - despite Downing Street's denial to Scotland on Sunday last weekend that Mr McBride had returned as a spin doctor.
Before Mr Brown appeared on the Andrew Marr Show on May 31, the official says Mr Brown discussed his lines with Mr McBride by text message. This surely puts him at the heart of Gordon Brown's inner circle.
If the leaked information is correct, given Mr McBride's nickname - McPoison - shouldn't Mr Brown find a more positive source of spin? And wouldn't it make the Prime Minister's attempt to distance himself from Mr McBride and his smear emails look rather hollow?
However, a political spokesman for the Prime Minister has denied the communication between Mr Brown and Mr McBride."
So who do you believe: Gordon Brown or the mounting contrary evidence?
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