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Cabinet chief puts ministers in clear over ‘smeargate’
Joe Murphy, Political Editor15.04.09
The Conservatives formally protested tonight as Gordon Brown escaped an inquiry into the No 10 dirty tricks scandal.
Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell accepted assurances given to him by Labour politicians that no minister or adviser was involved in “Smeargate” except former aide Damian McBride, who resigned on Saturday.
But the handling of the decision was greeted with dismay by senior Conservatives who asked why Sir Gus, the head of the civil service, did not investigate the facts for himself.
Francis Maude, the shadow cabinet office minister, was writing to Sir Gus this afternoon to complain that his actions had not gone far enough. One Tory said: “There does seem to be a reluctance within No 10 to have a proper examination of what happened.”
Sir Gus is responsible for upholding Whitehall's values and the codes of conduct applicable to ministers and their advisers.
In a letter responding to Mr Maude's original call for an inquiry, he said Mr McBride had flouted the rules when he suggested smear stories to run on the Red Rag website to damage senior Tories, including David Cameron and George Osborne.
“What happened constituted a clear and serious breach of the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers,” said Sir Gus. “It cannot and has not been tolerated.”
Sir Gus reported that the Prime Minister had been assured that nobody else broke the rules.
However, the Tories were demanding why Sir Gus had
neither cleared them himself nor called an inquiry that could settle the matter.
He announced that the codes were being toughened in the wake of Mr McBride's resignation, adding: “Strong and swift action has been taken.”
The call for an inquiry appeared to vanish when one of the ministers linked to the affair, Tom Watson, made a statement through solicitors stating categorically he knew nothing about the Red Rag site.
Sir Gus, appearing to keep his distance, wrote simply: “Tom Watson has made his own position clear.”
The Cabinet Secretary also wrote to permanent secretaries telling them to warn all special advisers, the political aides to ministers, that they would be sacked if found to be “preparing or disseminating inappropriate material”.
With criticism being made of Mr Brown's leadership in the wake of the scandal, one of the Prime Minister's closest allies fought back this morning by alleging that the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats were equally guilty of attacking by smears.
Ed Balls, the Children's Secretary, claimed: “All of us in politics, in the Labour Party and in all political parties, need to look in upon ourselves and we all need to work to raise standards and stamp this out.”
He went on: “This has been going on for a few years between parties and we have all got a responsibility to clean this up. I thought these emails were vile, horrible and despicable,” he said.
Former senior minister Frank Field reopened the question of whether Mr Brown could remain as Prime Minister and Labour leader when the next election comes.
He told the Guardian that the party would have “a last chance” after the European and local elections in June, which are likely to result in heavy Labour defeats.
There has been no public jockeying for the leadership since the autumn, however, and one senior critic of Mr Brown said he did not believe there was any appetite now for replacing Mr Brown. “It is too late now to change leader and I do not believe colleagues will go down that route,” he said.
What Sir Gus told Tory chief
Sir Gus's letter to Francis Maude: “As you know the Prime Minister issued a statement yesterday making clear that he has been assured that no Minister or political adviser ot her than Damian McBride had any knowledge of, or involvement in, the emails.”
Analysis: Assured by whom? Neither Mr Brown nor Sir Gus appear to have taken steps to assure themselves of the facts by investigating the matter, such as checking for references to the smears in the No 10 email system.
Sir Gus's letter: “Tom Watson has made his own position clear.”
Analysis: Sir Gus's letter conspicuously does not set out Mr Watson's position nor does it endorse the minister. The sentence only alludes to the fact that last night Mr Watson, the blogger and Minister for Digital Engagement, issued a denial through solicitors that he had anything to do with the Red Rag website that was to be used for smears. But why does Sir Gus state this himself? Is the Cabinet Secretary reluctant to lend this minister's statement his own credibility? And if he has doubts, why does he not investigate?
Sir Gus's letter: “What happened constituted a clear and serious breach of the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers. It cannot and has not been tolerated.”
Analysis: This is an unqualified finding but phrased to imply strongly that this was an isolated incident. The Tories ask how Sir Gus can be sure others were not implicated.
Sir Gus's letter: “Both the Ministerial Code and the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers are clear that government resources should not be used for party political purposes.”
Analysis: So why the need for “stronger” guidelines, unless it is a “red herring” designed to suggest action is being taken, as alleged by the civil service union, the First Division Association.
Sir Gus's letter: “Strong and swift action has been taken as a result.”
Analysis: Tories officials say this phrase casts the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Secretary in a far more favourable light than they deserve and smacks, to the Conservatives, of a whitewash.
Reader views (52)
Boring . . . Boring . . .
Let's just have a General Election NOW!
- Fraser, Telford Park
Poor old Wayne, Herts, Uk must either be the world's most gullible/deluded man or is missing a great opportunity. Come on Wayne there's a vacancy for a successor to Josef Goebbels.Brown knows exactly what his taxpayer funded sleaze generaters are doing to the minute. Do you expect us to beleive that the great control freak allows anything to be done without his knowledge. He is paranoid about everyone else in the labour party. get a grip.
- John, therealnotwaynesworld
I fully concur with [London] Robin.
It looks like Labour have now already plotted their
coup-de-gras [though it's a huge assumption that they even know what 'grace' is] and, for their finale, will
'pull another fast one' by replacing Brown as PM just before the next General Election.
He will cowardly, but craftilly, avoid being made the scapegoat, for the wildly expected disastrous Labour Party failings after the imminent EU and local 2009 elections, by then resigning 'for health reasons, due to his failing eyesight'.
Then the fur really will fly amongst the Labour ladies!
- Dave, Cumbria
Gus O'Donnell{initials GOD} has well and truely shot himself in the foot by aligning himself with Brown.It beggars belief that he thinks his decision is and will be accceptable to the Conservatives and the Public.Once again another person has ruined their career supporting the evil Brown, for what? Barely just a year before total wipeout!! Smart move?
- Keith, london
Wayne - who except you cares that Crash is looking drained - have you noticed what he's done to the country or are you too blinded by NuLabour spin? Get real for goodness sake this administration lurkes from disaster to disaster whilst Crash swans around "saving" the world - are you as deluded as Crash?
- David, SOUTHAMPTON
Has everyone forgotten Ian Oakley the Tory MP convicted on 75 charges of harassment and criminal damage against his Lib Dem opponents in Watford? These included rumours of a paedophile ring and painting 'scum perv' on the walls of his victim's private home. I don't recall Cameron saying 'sorry' or indeed any other 'outraged' Tory MP!
- Max Edwards, Coleford Gloustershire UK
Keith, Luton.
You old 'dyed in the wool' socialist, you.
Most world leaders at the G20 'expressed support' of your 'trusty' Great Leader simply because most were of similar unrealistically barmy left wing persuasions!
'Birds of a feather' and all that.
Get out of ZaNuLabour's metropolis, my friend, to discover how brain-dead a sheep really is.
- Dave, Cumbria
#Godfrey, London
Your comments would be more credible if you were aware of the facts. Gus McDonnell held the same post under John Major and is held in high esteem by all parties. This constant picking at the sore by the Conservatives because he has not made the decision they wanted will merely cement the view that they are going over the top on this. They are on a hiding to nothing; Gus McDonnell is not a place man, he is his own man and obviously believes there is nothing more to discover. Let this be an end to it. By the way, what happened to Nadine Dorries' threat to sue? That seems to have died the death, I wonder why.
- Val Daniels, Mijas Costa, Spain
The Tories have a point and this should be sorted out because Labour ministers have also been the victims of smears. Remember Brown has done this all his life to get into the positions that he wants. Brown thinks more about getting the Tories on the backfoot that he does about the country. Brown is in the middle of all this he is a man who controls everyone and likes to know what is going on so it is inconcievable that he knew nothing. Watson has also done this sort of thing before and received a lawyers e mail about it and the smear was withdrawn. Ed Balls should keep his mouth shut and I am sure the Lib Dems and Tories do not want to be tarred with the same brush. I believe world leaders such as Obama etc I think they just butter him up then do as they please in their own countries. the gaffes Brown has made they all know about it. Most of them were wondering if Brown had any ideas but he did not have any more than they had. the world must be laughing at us at how our country is run. Brown is a coward he is frightened to death in case he is seen doing anything or voting inappropriately. notice he either hides away or goes on a world trip or if there is a vote he abstains .
- Jacqui Williams, peterborough cambs
Well that's a real surprise. Who'd have beleived that one of brown's puppets, O'Donnell would have given ministers a clean bill of health!!!
- Roy, Hertford
What did we expect from this morally bankruypt and devious government. Nothing short of a scandal. The Lib Dems have been a bit quiet. Come on Cameron, keep the pressure up and we might find more from the rats nest at number 10.
- Nick, Milton Keynes
Sir Gus received assurances and that's all right? We have a Government that cannot tell the time without twisting the message, so the assurances of its Minister are worth zilch. Ed Balls should stop trying to spread the blame for the abject lack of moral rectitude in Brown's political circle. Lies, evasions and brutal bullying tactics characterise the cesspit New labour has created. The only way to cleanse Government is to weed out the lot of them, Balls and all and the sooner the better.
- James Elliott, Eastbourne UK
Who appoints this conflicted O'Donnell person? Clearly he is also part of the problem.
- Godfrey, london
Brown won't be leading his party into the next election.
I shall be making a small wager on this as soon as possible.
No party would allow such a gaffe prone, mendacious loser to run their election campaign for six weeks.
- Robin, London
Go get a life and stop believing everything the spin machine tells you."
No spin machine tells me anything. Our OM is trusted enough worldwide for the American President and most workd keaders to have exoressed support for him. You would ask for the PM to resign if his dog had soiled the Downing Street carpet. This is what McBride's stupidity anounts to and he has already fallen on his sword. There is no need for any more of Cameron's personal slander. He demeans himself by carping on and on.
- Keith Price, Luton, England
Brown may discover that the coverup costs him more than the original act; he should take a page from Nixon's playbook, another politician who never said he was sorry.
- Pam, Michigan, USA
Who on this earth believes Gus O'Donnell apart from Brown and the 'inner circle'. A Judicial investigation is required and those in the know questioned under oath !!
- Nick Holland, glasgow
Never mind Dolly, you'll soon be too busy washing Kate's baby's nappies than to worry about washing Gordon's, and Tom's, and Charlie's and Ed's and Peter's and Alistair's et al!
- Dave, Cumbria
The denials in themselves are not confirmation of anything and do not prove innocence. All that it does prove is a lack of conviction by Sir Gus #Or is that Circus#to try to prove one way or the other, exactly what happened. Then we can all move on to the next none event.
- Al, Kingstown UK
BBC have just announced a new show to replace The Archers.... it's called The Sleazers, an inner-city tale of honest oinkers, troughing it up at the expense of the tax payers. Headed by Napoleon and Squealer. And it's all within the rulz!
Loads of fun was had by all: free worldwide travel, expense allowances, porn films, boom & bust, 45 minutes to weapons of mass destruction. And convertion to Roman Catholicism. Bundle of laughs.
Strap Line:"4 houses good - two houses bad!"
- Haskey, London SE1
Sir Gus declares all is well and we all move on.Perhaps Sir Gus should be replaced or do his job properly because.
- P Doff, filey yorks
Keith Price, Luton, England
Go get a life and stop believing everything the spin machine tells you. If Brown didn't know about these emails he dam well should have done! It's quite pathetic that this idiot is still running the country (into the ground)
- Margy, London
So because one labour minister says its ok then thats all right then, the same bunch of liars turning out the same lies and cover ups they have done since and during blair. These clowns are paid a huge salary, milk expenses for all their worth and lie at every opportunity, they must have a standing order for a regular supply of white wash.
- Mark Devries, Bangkok Thailand
And in the meantime have Nu Labour got MCPoison holed up n some safe house somewhere so that the world press cannot contact him as one presumes he could potentially bring down the Labour government -if the price is right??
- Robert El-Cid., Hull, East Yorks.,
As the old saying goes eh Jim, London, these guys only ask the questions they know the answer to.
What the Great Ruiner's government really fears is a proper independent inquiry into ALL 11 years of its incompetence and skulduggery.
Private Eye's immortal phrase comes to mind, some reference to a "finding in Alldyce vs Pressdram" wasn't it?
Yes, exactly how HMG responds whenever its caught out.
- Ken, france
Despair, despair. What chance of anything decent when everything is covered up and manipulated to clear the likes of Brown and Blair. Teflon Bliar is rubbing off on "BROWN"
No such thing as an independent enquiry/investigation. Civil servants biased and no doubt toeing the line. Truth being, the electorate have no choice whichever way they vote. The bulk of politicians are only in it for a career in creaming off the perks. No longer any integrity. Might as well everyone cheat to the best of their ability.
- Asw, HK
"Get A Grip ! When are people going to realise Gordon knew nothing of all this. The poor mans been travelling thousands of miles around the world recently to agree a brilliant G20. Give the poor man a break - get a grip everyone!!"
Who cares that Gordon was thousands of miles away, he is the PM, he is in charge and if he doesnt know what goes on within his own office he should be OUT.
- Rachel, London
Gordon Brown cannot apologise for anything just like Blair. The only people who apologise are men of honour.
But then men of honour also resign when they know they are dishonest, incompetent and have no moral support from the electorate.
Hence you'll be stuck with disgraceful Broon and NuLabour oinkers til they drop.............
- Chris Williams, Cardiff
I can't believe the lack of gratitude from some people. Gordon spent the whole of his weekend writing Heartfelt, handwritten letters of apology to the tories on behalf of Mc Bride and what thanks does the poor man get in return? - Nothing!!
Why can't people be positive & show some gratitude ! Have you seen the state of the poor man he looks drained! What are you trying to do drive him from office?
- Wayne, Herts, Uk
What is the point of cameron repeatedly claiming that the PM and his closest colleagues knew all about Mr McBride's foolish actions, when it is now clear that they didn't ? Pointless carping on and in deneans the leader of the opposition greatly
- Keith Price, Luton, England
DRAPER SHOULD GO NOW
- Anon, leicestershire
Keep Dolly!
He's the best joke we've had around for ages!
Dolly must stay!!!!
- R King, UK
Wayne, please keep it up. You are a perfect example of why 'Great Britain' has become 'Little Britain' under Labour.
Think the word 'moron' best describes. Hillarious !!
- Sarit Shah, Hong Kong
Now that Downing Street and Dolly Draper have, like all McLabour 'marriages' where scandal has been freshly
'exposed', come to a Jowellesque style, 'temporary' seperation of/for [political] convenience';
then I do sincerely hope that we don't soon see this upset also now repeated in Mr Kate Kalloway's very own excruciatingly embarrassed household.
- Dave, Cumbria
This lot are so immature and stupid...they keep saying "well the tories and liberals do it aswell" as though that makes it OK.
They just don't get it do they....they have been caught, not the tories or the liberals. They are cowards the whole dam lot of them.
What has become blatantly clear is that the likes of Brown, McBride, Draper and Balls etc are spineless creatures with absolutely no integrity, and certainly not fit to be running a country.
- Margy, London
Is Wayne in Broon's employ - he's his ONLY fan! talk about "Get a grip" Wayne
- David, SOUTHAMPTON
Ed Balls - gordon's seat-sniffer in chief!
- Chris, Brighton, England
This will keep on running,whatever this gormless government want,whenever they come up with any statement,it will look as biased spin.
Bet it will come up before the June elections.....the sleaze will stick to Brown and Labour
- Grumpy As Hell, wimbledon
Get A Grip !
When are people going to realise Gordon knew nothing of all this. The poor mans been travelling thousands of miles around the world recently to agree a brilliant G20. Give the poor man a break - get a grip everyone!!
- Wayne, Herts, Uk
Did you notice how quickly Brown's cronies jumped to his defence?
Joe Public still only knows 5% of what is going on in Downing Street.
The sooner the likes of Balls and Cooper, Harman and Straw are relegated to the dustbin, the happier Joe Public will feel.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe UK
They buy their whitewash by the tanker-load in Whitehall. That Gus O'Donnell would declare there was no need for an inquiry on the basis of that narrowly and carefully drafted non-denial denial from Carter is further evidence that our government has become nothing more than a shabby regime in which civil service integrity is a long-forgotten concept.
- Jonathan Miller, Alfold, England
Derek Draper should resign from LabourList. His credibility as its guru is shot to pieces.Labour can only suffer by association with him.
- Pro Bono, London UK
Is it actually true that McBride has lost his employment? I think we should be told...
- Danny, Manchester
I see that Ed Ballsup is trying to spread the blame for the disgustingly sleazy state of British politics by "encouraging" all parties to look into themselves.
This is the man who lives with his MP wife, Yvette Cooper, in a "second home" that they both claim allowances for. If a "single MP household" can get by on one set of allowances, why can't they?
Who is does this buffoon think he is kidding? NuLiebour is far and away the most morally corrupt political party in the history of British politics. This Soviet Labour government is the most mendacious, spiteful and anti-British administration we have ever had.
Everything that has gone before, including the "Tory sleaze" that McClown & Co. continually harp on about 12 years after the event, pales into insignificance compared to the nefarious actions of the party built by Billy Liar, Peter Mandlieson and Gormless McBroon.
We must have a general election now. WE have a right to decide what we want to do about this scandal.
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster
A question which the public have a right to know is whether Brown spoke to Draper,Whelan or McBride about this appalling affair subsequent to McBride's departure and if so for what purpose.
- Chris, London,England
We have the right to know who bought the redrag domain name and paid for it. Ed Balls is pathetic, he and his wife each claim the full allowance for the home they share. They say it isn't against the rules, did it ever occur to them that they rules (which they set up) are morally wrong?
Roll on the election.
- Sarahn, London, UK
Mr Balls - I don't care if the Tories and LibDems are doing the same thing they and NOT me (through my taxes) are paying for it. Once again the difference is that Mr McBride was being paid as a Civil Servant (by us taxpayers) to dream up this rubbish. It is this point that I and several others find abhorrent.
- Jim, London
Usual cover-up. No surprises here then. Who expected any different? The U.S. citizenry had a way of removing Nixon, thanks to the Constitution's checks and balances. Too bad the U.K. citizenry has no similar way of forcing removal of Brown and the other Labour sleazers.
- Phil Jones, London UK
Gosh I am surprised, If you'll excuse me I'll faint with astonishment later when I have the time. P.S. can anyone remember any (independent)enquiry under this government whose result was not known before it started, or whose terms of reference were set to deliberately exclude the real reason for the enquiry?
- Jim, London
They are desperate to draw a line under the matter. Desperation and anxiety are seldom the emotions of innocence.
- Timolin, budleigh salterton, UK
Balls and Cooper are as sleazy as the rest of Labour.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
Lucky fella. He doesnt need this report in the electorate's memeory, does he?
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke
