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PM spin row spirals over bad news buried by Diana report
Last updated at 11:37am on 15.12.06
The simple fact that a Prime Minister has had to answer formal police questions in an ongoing criminal inquiry is a devastating blow to Mr Blair's reputation
A growing spin row engulfed Tony Blair today over the moving of "bad news" to the day of the Diana report.
A total of four major government announcements were made on the same day that Lord Stevens delivered his milestone verdict on the death of the Princess.
It was also the same day chosen by the Prime Minister to be interviewed by Scotland Yard detectives, leading to claims that Mr Blair buried his own bad news under the much bigger headlines devoted to the royal tragedy.
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It led MPs to accuse the Government of deliberately using the Diana report to cover up a string of controversies that might otherwise have dominated the headlines for days.
One Whitehall official told the Standard: "It is clear to us that announcements were deliberately crowded onto the same day. The effect was to minimise publicity for a string of matters that would otherwise have been prominent. They also helped to divert attention even more away from the Prime Minister's police interview."
Government announcements rushed out yesterday included controversial expansion at Heathrow and other airports issued by Douglas Alexander, the Transport Secretary, the closure of 2,500 post offices announced by Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling and the dramatic halting of a fraud probe apparently at the behest of the Saudi royal family.
The latter was seen as one of the most ground-breaking events of the year with major implications for the criminal justice system and relations in the Middle East yet it was slipped out at 5.50pm. There was also a White Paper proposing to end the need for fertility clinics to consider the needs of the father, thus clearing the way for same-sex couples to be given IVF treatment.
Chris Grayling, the shadow transport secretary, said it was clearly spin of the most tasteless sort to issue so many reports on the day of the Diana verdict.
"Five years after Labour launched the concept of burying bad news, Mr Blair's spin doctors are back to their old tricks," he said.
"What is even more disturbing is that the Government appears to have used as an alibi something that is of great importance and deep poignancy to the nation as a whole.
"If the government has something to say, they should say it openly."
The impact of the deluge was that several newspaper front pages today did not feature the extraordinary story that the Prime Minister had been questioned in a criminal police investigation.
The key official in charge of announcements is David Hill, director of communications at No 10 and one of Mr Blair's closest and most loyal political officials.
The term "bury bad news" was coined by former Labour spin doctor Jo Moore five years ago when she wrote an infamous memo to civil servants on the day of the Twin Towers tragedy instructing them that it was now "a good day" on which to slip out awkward facts.
Reader views (14)
I'm afraid Liz has been misled by Number 10 (haven't we all?). The SNP's original complaint made no reference to the Prime Minister, though the Downing Street press machine spouted its usual delusional guff last night. Amazing what a guilty conscience makes you think you read!
- Silver, London
This interview was probably arranged weeks ago by the PMs diary secretary and I am quite sure they did not check with Lord Stevens etc to see if it was convenient! The PM is a busy person - look at where he has travelled to and the number of scheduled events in the last few weeks.
We all knew the PM was going to be interviewed - the complaint from the SNP stated the PM's name. Labour as you know are a threat to the SNP in Scotland. If we go through the House of Lords and take out the Bishops, the former politicians, the Law Lords and look at the rest then it is evident that the two major political parties have always ennobled supporters. Lord Ashcroft for one has always contributed to tory funds. In addition both major parties have obtained loans from supporters to fund their last election campaign. Even the Lib Dems received £2m from a fraudster who is now languishing in prison. The Leader of the Tories at the last election was also questioned by the Police. What is the problem... I thought that being interviewed as a witness was fairly normal. It does not imply guilt and we do believe in the concept of innocent until proven guilty in this country.
- Liz, Lincoln
If the Government thought the 'Diana' report would bury bad news they over estimated how many people would care about that report. I think most of us are now very fed up of hearing about her and wish that message would get through to the media.
- Trisha, Reading
IF Cameron doesn't start dismantling Blair and his cohorts over their sleaze soon the electorate will begin to wonder how much he is hiding too. Just pack in all this touchy-feelie stuff David and go on the attack and bring them to their knees - they surely cannot withstand much more.
- Robert, Hull, East Yorks.,
It's appauling how much contempt this shower display for the general public. That they try to bury this sort of news is bad but to think they'll actually get away with it is just insulting. Just how thick do they really think we all are? The police have certainly got their work cut out for them trying to deal with this bag of snakes.
- Serena, Old Street
The PM being interviewed by the police is one of the biggest news stories of the year - he was a fool to think he could bury it.
- Higgins, Enfield
Every time a press sheet is released these days by No10 we automatically look past the top story and straight down to the bottom where no doubt the juciest news will be burried. It's a bit like a murder mystery novel where you turn to the back page to find out who dunnit!
Ibet he'd find the public were a lot more forgiving if just for once he could come clean, honestly and just apologise! We understand humans make mistakes and we can forgive that, it's lying and cheating we don't forgive!
- Frankie, Bromley
God Tony Blair is an idiot! I cannot believe he thought he could be interviewed by the police - the PRIME MINISTER of the UK - and that the press would decide not to run the story because of the Lord Stevens verdict. Head, sand. Doh.
- Phil, Southfields London
I don't understand Tony's thinking - whenever he was interviewed by the police it was bound to be picked up by the press... and this would be regardless of what else was in the news at the time! Blair's put his foot in it AGAIN. How long is it until he resigns? Anyone?
- John Cracklethorpe, Richmond
Blair, like the rest of the New Labour Party, despises the electorate, but thank goodness we have the capacity for memory, and will use it to good effect to get shot of them at the appropriate time.
- Ted, Shetland
What a nasty underhand hypocritical excuse for a man Tony Blair is.
- Marina, Essex UK
I actually respect Blair for doing this! If I was being interviewed by police I wouldn't want anyone to know, so think he was being super canny by having done the same time as the Diana Report coming out! It shows he has some intelligence at least!
- Katherine Martin, Chigwell
Tony Blair seems to have a history of doing this - he's so sly. I personally think it is in very bad taste to aim to be interviewed by the police on the day Princess Diana's report came out. Blair and Diana were friends, weren't they? How disgusting to use the enquiry into her death as a way to deflect media attention from his latest scandel. He should be ashamed.
- Jessica D, Ealing Common, London
This who episode only goes to show how weak the opposition parties are against a corrupt Labour government. Anyone else would have enjoyed castrating Tony Blair over this whole matter, but alas we have a weak and feable Tory Party which thinks that love conquers all!
- Raminder Bhalla, Northolt
