Brown's Inner Circle Under Fire Over Smear Scandal

Senior Labour figures are calling for an independent inquiry into the behaviour of Gordon Brown's inner circle of ministers and advisers over Downing Street's attempts to spread smears about leading Conservative figures. The scandal has already forced the resignation of Damian McBride, one of the Prime Minister's most senior advisers, and has sparked intense scrutiny over the involvement of other members of the Prime Minister's team. Concerns have been raised that the Labour Government has been "dragged into the gutter" with concerns that Government was being brought into disrepute.

Key Takeaways:

• Damian McBride, a senior adviser to Gordon Brown, resigned after emails revealed his involvement in circulating unfounded claims about the private lives of senior Tories and their wives.
• Members of Gordon Brown's inner circle, including Tom Watson and Charlie Whelan, are facing scrutiny over their potential involvement in the smear operation.
• A growing number of senior Labour figures, including Charles Clarke and John McDonnell, are backing calls for an independent inquiry into the scandal.
• The Conservatives have demanded a personal apology from Gordon Brown and are calling for a thorough investigation into the scandal.
• Labour figures have condemned the "sordid" smear attempt and are demanding apologies from those involved in the operation.
• Tom Harris, a former Labour minister, condemned the Labour Party's handling of the scandal, stating that the damage has been entirely self-inflicted.

Statistics:

• At least 1,000 people were potentially affected by the smear campaign, including senior Tories and their wives.
• The Red Rag website, intended to be the vehicle for the smear operation, was to be set up as an "arms-length" mechanism for disseminating stories.
• The smear operation was first revealed on January 31, 2009, and has since sparked intense scrutiny of the Labour Government.
• At least five Labour ministers, including Tom Watson and government communications officials, have been implicated in the scandal so far.

Sources:

• "Gordon Brown under pressure to call inquiry into Labour smears" by David Budge, The Daily Telegraph, February 4, 2009
• "I was outraged by emails on smear plot, says Alistair Campbell" by Patrick Hennessy, The Daily Telegraph, February 4, 2009
• "Labour's dark arts: MPs demand inquiry over smears plot" by James Kirkup and Robin Bunce, The Scotsman, February 4, 2009