Hutton fallout: Campbell gone

[GePap]

UK Blair's Top Aide Campbell Says Quitting Job
By REUTERS



Filed at 9:51 a.m. ET

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Tony Blair's top aide and media handler Alastair Campbell, who was closely involved in drawing up a government dossier on Iraqi weapons, announced on Friday he was quitting his job.

``We agreed on April 7 this year that I would definitely leave this summer and I have now given the prime minister formal notice of my decision to leave,'' Campbell said in a statement released by Blair's Downing Street office.

A Downing Street spokesman said Campbell would not be leaving his job immediately but gave no date for his departure.

[Dinner]

It seems Blair is now safe. He's found a fall guy.

[CerberusIV]

Blair was never really in danger. What this does, depending on who replaces Campbell, is give the Labour government a chance to claim they have changed the way they do things and try and leave their reputation for spin behind.

If they can do that it is an important step towards the next election.

[Agathon]

Yeah!!!!!!!!!!

Hoon next, then Straw, then Call-Me-Tony.

Resignation, assassination... makes no difference to me.

[Solly]

[Agathon]

Originally posted by Boddington's

And then the racist BNP scum.

[Zulu Elephant]

It seems Blair is now safe. He's found a fall guy

Campbell has wanted to resign to do other things last year since last year. He was telling friends that he only wanted to stay for half of the current term since before the last election. The only reason he stayed this long is because of the Iraq war build up and then the Hutton inquiry.

Anyone who's followed the Hutton inquiry will know that he's probably going to be completely exonerated since it appears that (even I was suprised) he didn't do anything wrong.

And for anyone who doesn't know, David Hill has been announced as Campbell's successer.

http://media.guardian.co.uk/marketingandpr/story/0,7494,1031949,00.html

[Solly]

*** GUARDIAN LINK ***

[Zulu Elephant]

Boddingtons. While you may not agree with the opinion pages of the Guardian, I find it hard to believe that they would make up a story about Campbell's successor, especially since the BBC, ITV and every single other newspaper is saying the same thing.

idiot

[C0ckney]

apparently he wants to spend more time with his family. am i the only one who finds it slightly ironic that the master of spin couldn't think of something a bit more original

[The Andy-Man]

Blair will have to go now, its the only hope labour have of winning a decent majority at the next election. Though its very late into the term now, and anyone new won't really have time to 'make a difference', so only a donkey will take the job. Its very bad party wise -good fro britain though

[Solly]

Blair is still in a strong position. Comments like "Blair will have to go now" are daft ones to make IMO.

[Shi Huangdi]

TINY BLAIR TONY ABLAIR! TONY BKLAIR! TONY BLAIR!!!!!!!

TONY BALRI!!!

[Solly]

You're gonna get a ban and PCR for this

[Shi Huangdi]

HAHAAHA! TONY BKLAIR OWNS!