bigred
13-04-2009, 11:01 AM
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Politics/Smear-Emails-Damian-McBride-Resignation-Nadine-Dorries-Condemns-Cancer-At-Number-10/Article/200904215260790?lpos=Politics_Carousel_Region_2&lid=ARTICLE_15260790_Smear_Emails%3A_Damian_McBrid e_Resignation%2C_Nadine_Dorries_Condemns_Cancer_At _Number_10
Smeargate: MP Slams 'Cancer' At Number 10
9:46am UK, Monday April 13, 2009
A Tory MP caught up in the Downing Street emails scandal has told Sky News there is a "cancer" at the heart of Number 10.
Gordon Brown has said there was 'no place' for smear tactics in politics
Nadine Dorries was one of several Conservatives about whom Damian McBride, one of Gordon Brown's closest aides, made up gossip.
Mr McBride resigned when his email planning a smear campaign against senior figures in the Conservative Party became public.
The Tories have called for Mr Brown to hold an inquiry into the affair.
But Ms Dorries, MP for Mid Bedfordshire, says she believes the Prime Minister should apologise. She is also considering legal action.
She told Sky News: "What we have at the heart of Downing Street is a cancer.
"Damian McBride reported directly to the Prime Minister and took his instructions from the Prime Minister. An employer is ultimately responsible for the actions of his employee.
McBride: 'Shocked and appalled'
"Downing Street is a small house - it's not a massive office block. These people worked in one office at the heart of Downing Street."
She said she had taken legal advice over the weekend and would probably decide whether to take action on Tuesday.
Ms Dorries added: "I don't think it's right or proper that at the heart of Downing Street we have key advisers, top ministerial aides, working on how they can destroy teh reputations and careers of others rather than running the country."
However, Health Secretary Alan Johnson - while condemning the emails - insisted there was no reason for Mr Brown to apologise.
He said: "You will diminish the value of a public apology if on every single issue there has to be an apology from people who had nothing to do with the initiative in the first place.
"What the Prime Minister has made absolutely clear is that this is wrong. He has put out a statement.
"Neither I nor anyone in the Cabinet, least of all the Prime Minister, knew about Damian McBride's initiative, knew about the email exchange."
The scandal came to light when emails to fellow spin doctors were leaked and published in The Sunday Times and News Of The World.
I did not want these stories in the public domain - it is because Paul Staines has put them there, and I am sickened that he has done so.
See Damian McBride's resignation statement
The discussions between Mr McBride and former spin doctor Derek Draper took place in January and were leaked to right-wing blogger Paul Staines.
Mr McBride said he was "shocked and appalled" at the way the emails had been used and regretted any embarrassment caused to the Government.
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague called for Mr Brown to begin a "thorough investigation" into the matter and "take responsbility".
"It's important for people who may work for him in the future to see this is demeaning and shows how desperate the Labour Party have become," he said.
Mr Hague said the investigation should determine "who was aware of any systematic attempt to fabricate allegations about individuals".
The Prime Minister has already said there was "no place" in politics for such material.
But Conservatives stepped up efforts to pin the blame on Mr Brown over the weekend, insisting he had fostered a "corrupting culture of spin" inside No 10.
David Cameron was said to be "furious", while Labour figures including former Home Secretary Charles Clarke also made clear their anger.
Smeargate: MP Slams 'Cancer' At Number 10
9:46am UK, Monday April 13, 2009
A Tory MP caught up in the Downing Street emails scandal has told Sky News there is a "cancer" at the heart of Number 10.
Gordon Brown has said there was 'no place' for smear tactics in politics
Nadine Dorries was one of several Conservatives about whom Damian McBride, one of Gordon Brown's closest aides, made up gossip.
Mr McBride resigned when his email planning a smear campaign against senior figures in the Conservative Party became public.
The Tories have called for Mr Brown to hold an inquiry into the affair.
But Ms Dorries, MP for Mid Bedfordshire, says she believes the Prime Minister should apologise. She is also considering legal action.
She told Sky News: "What we have at the heart of Downing Street is a cancer.
"Damian McBride reported directly to the Prime Minister and took his instructions from the Prime Minister. An employer is ultimately responsible for the actions of his employee.
McBride: 'Shocked and appalled'
"Downing Street is a small house - it's not a massive office block. These people worked in one office at the heart of Downing Street."
She said she had taken legal advice over the weekend and would probably decide whether to take action on Tuesday.
Ms Dorries added: "I don't think it's right or proper that at the heart of Downing Street we have key advisers, top ministerial aides, working on how they can destroy teh reputations and careers of others rather than running the country."
However, Health Secretary Alan Johnson - while condemning the emails - insisted there was no reason for Mr Brown to apologise.
He said: "You will diminish the value of a public apology if on every single issue there has to be an apology from people who had nothing to do with the initiative in the first place.
"What the Prime Minister has made absolutely clear is that this is wrong. He has put out a statement.
"Neither I nor anyone in the Cabinet, least of all the Prime Minister, knew about Damian McBride's initiative, knew about the email exchange."
The scandal came to light when emails to fellow spin doctors were leaked and published in The Sunday Times and News Of The World.
I did not want these stories in the public domain - it is because Paul Staines has put them there, and I am sickened that he has done so.
See Damian McBride's resignation statement
The discussions between Mr McBride and former spin doctor Derek Draper took place in January and were leaked to right-wing blogger Paul Staines.
Mr McBride said he was "shocked and appalled" at the way the emails had been used and regretted any embarrassment caused to the Government.
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague called for Mr Brown to begin a "thorough investigation" into the matter and "take responsbility".
"It's important for people who may work for him in the future to see this is demeaning and shows how desperate the Labour Party have become," he said.
Mr Hague said the investigation should determine "who was aware of any systematic attempt to fabricate allegations about individuals".
The Prime Minister has already said there was "no place" in politics for such material.
But Conservatives stepped up efforts to pin the blame on Mr Brown over the weekend, insisting he had fostered a "corrupting culture of spin" inside No 10.
David Cameron was said to be "furious", while Labour figures including former Home Secretary Charles Clarke also made clear their anger.