"Ed Balls has become the first senior Labour politician to admit being in touch with Damian McBride, the disgraced spin doctor, following his resignation over attempts to smear senior Tories."Very unlikely", that leaves the door ajar just enough does it not?
The children's secretary, a long-term friend of the former Treasury aide and one of Gordon Brown's closest allies... Asked whether he had been in contact with Labour's most notorious pariah, Balls confirmed that he had, but suggested it was purely social: "I certainly wished him a happy birthday. As I said [when he resigned], Damian did a very stupid thing, he's paid a very heavy price, but we all get on with our jobs."
Had he discussed policy with McBride? "Of course not." Although McBride is applying for a job as a school outreach worker, Balls said it was "very unlikely" that they would meet through work."
The Observer piece ends:
"Tory MPs, however, plan to challenge Balls this week over the nature of communications with the former Downing Street adviser. Senior Tories are convinced that McBride has not been completely cut off from his old circle."
As readers of this blog know, James Duddridge has send a follow-up letter to Gordon Brown asking to answer both parts of the question he was asked at PMQs.
Some thoughts:
Is Ed Balls' "admission" a tactical device to take some of the pressure off of
Gordon Brown, who can now use this "social" meeting as an explanation of "contact".
Will Gordon Brown dare to use an "I answered this question last week" reply if asked at PMQs about contact between Damian McBride and himself. If he tries this answer will John Bercow take any action or will he resort to "It is up to the Prime Minister how he answers questions"?
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