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No 10 in a spin as 'image' chief is sidelined
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor01.09.08
A PR expert drafted into Downing Street to help boost Gordon Brown's image is set to be sidelined after complaints that he is not "political" enough.
Stephen Carter, the former lobbyist and Ofcom chief, was hired as the Prime Minister's director of strategy in January to streamline No10 in wake of the disastrous "on-off" general election fiasco last autumn.
But Mr Carter's appointment immediately sparked tensions with Mr Brown's long-serving political allies and Labour MPs, many of whom disliked his lack of political experience and criticised his move to bring in PR experts.
Despite official denials, it now appears that Mr Carter is to be found another role and his responsibilities split between No10 Permanent Secretary Jeremy Heywood and political strategy chief David Muir.
Mr Carter, known to have alarmed Labour loyalists with his refusal to allow ministers to attack the Conservatives on class grounds, may be given a "blue sky" thinking role similar to the one which Tony Blair created for John Birt.
Mr Carter was heavily criticised by Labour MPs for giving unpaid roles to Nick Stace, the former campaigns chief at Which? magazine, and Jennifer Moses, former director of lingerie firm Agent Provocateur, to "spice up" government policies.
Ms Moses, a former Liberal Democrat supporter, upset some Brown allies because she refused to join the Labour Party.
Mr Carter was brought into No10 from City PR firm Brunswick, which is run by Mr Brown's friend Alan Parker.
