Alastair Campbell to resign

[BOBDN]

From the BBC

The Blair administration begins to crumble.

Alastair Campbell to resign

 

[Czar]

the fall guy

 

[BOBDN]

Originally posted by: Czar
the fall guy

Perhaps. But I don't believe Blair's problems will stop with Campbell's resignation. The Hutton inquiry goes on. Unlike the US congress the UK Parliament doesn't bow to the their nation's elected leader. They do the job their branch of government is intended to do. I don't think Blair will skate on Campbell's resignation. There is blood in the water. The sharks will increase their attack.

An updated link to the news of Campbell's resignation.

 

[dpm]

Originally posted by: Czar
the fall guy

I very much agree. This isn't going to be Blair's Watergate, and most of what criticism there will be will be dumped on Campbell anyway, as the press hate him so much. (The cynic in me says that the press hate campbell because he is too much like them).

Anyway, look at Mandelson - this doesn't have to be the end of Campbell. Apparantly you get more than one chance...

 

[BOBDN]

Originally posted by: dpm

Originally posted by: Czar
the fall guy

I very much agree. This isn't going to be Blair's Watergate, and most of what criticism there will be will be dumped on Campbell anyway, as the press hate him so much. (The cynic in me says that the press hate campbell because he is too much like them).

Anyway, look at Mandelson - this doesn't have to be the end of Campbell. Apparantly you get more than one chance...

I'm not so sure, dpm. Read the BBC piece below.

Pundits divided over Campbell

 

[BOBDN]

Excerpts:

"But Sir Bernard Ingham, former press secretary to Baroness Thatcher, said Mr Campbell had symbolised an "appalling era of government communication" and spin.

He blamed this on the prime minister, rather than on Mr Campbell himself, however.

"It points the finger at Tony Blair because he [Campbell] worked under Blair's regime," he said.

"Blair is responsible ultimately for the loss of trust because he allowed the methods Campbell employed to operate."

And

Political commentator Michael Brown likened the departure of Mr Campbell to Mr Blair having his brain taken out.

The former Tory MP told Sky News: "Of course he will be greatly missed by Tony Blair.

"It's like having Tony Blair's brain literally taken out and how he's going to be able to continue without Alastair Campbell is going to be very interesting to watch.

"Alastair Campbell has been taking vital political decisions, offering vital political advice to the prime minister."


Campbell sounds like Blair's Karl Rove. This may indeed be the beginning of the end for Blair as well.

 

[dpm]

Originally posted by: BOBDN

Originally posted by: dpm

Originally posted by: Czar the fall guy

I very much agree. This isn't going to be Blair's Watergate, and most of what criticism there will be will be dumped on Campbell anyway, as the press hate him so much. (The cynic in me says that the press hate campbell because he is too much like them). Anyway, look at Mandelson - this doesn't have to be the end of Campbell. Apparantly you get more than one chance...

I'm not so sure, dpm. Read the BBC piece below. Pundits divided over Campbell

Hmm. Interesting.
Still, I'll be interested to see what tomorrows tabloids have to say, as they seem to more or less set todays news agenda.

Nice balanced piece by the BBC though.

 

[Lonyo]

I thought most people had the idea that defence secretary Geoff Hoon is the fall guy.

 

[BOBDN]

Originally posted by: Lonyo
I thought most people had the idea that defence secretary Geoff Hoon is the fall guy.

Hoon may be next. But eventually all roads lead to Blair.

 

[LilBlinbBlahIce]

Originally posted by: BOBDN

Originally posted by: Lonyo
I thought most people had the idea that defence secretary Geoff Hoon is the fall guy.

Hoon may be next. But eventually all roads lead to Blair.

...and rightly so.

 

[Gaard]

Why do you suppose the US and Britain need scapegoats? Surely, if everything was kosher with this war there would be no need for scapegoats.

 

[BOBDN]

Originally posted by: Gaard
Why do you suppose the US and Britain need scapegoats? Surely, if everything was kosher with this war there would be no need for scapegoats.

It's been my experience that people scapegoat to avoid blame. There must be something they are avoiding blame for.

I've heard the invasion of Iraq mentioned at the BBC site several times. Could that be what the Blair administration is trying to avoid blame for?

 

[BOBDN]

A look at the Hutton inquiry so far.

From the BBC

Analysis: Hutton inquiry week three

 

[BOBDN]

More on Tony Blair and the Hutton inquiry below.

Working through the system it seems only applies to others.

Dossier was part of strategy decided with Bush

 

[BOBDN]

I find it hard to believe there is so little interest in the Hutton investigation shown in the US press but even more so on the part of the US public.

Mrs Kelly's devastating testimony

 

[BOBDN]

Latest testimony from the Hutton investigation.

Dossier 'over-egged' Iraq weapons claims