Viewers of BBC 1 ‘The Andrew Marr show’ yesterday would have seen an emotional Alistair Campbell once again defending his good old friend Tony Blair
The former journalist turned spin-doctor’s cool and calm persona somewhat deserted him as he held back tears.
Having appeared on the show to promote his new book, Campbell should surly have had just the tiniest of inkling that Marr would be raising the issue of Iraq.
However the man, who mastered the art of media manipulation during his time as head of communication under Blair’s Labour government, looked genuinely perturbed by Marr’s questioning.
When asked whether Blair mislead parliament, Campbell denied the allegation but looked close to tears during his reply.
Mr Campbell said the media was obsessed with "settling your scores and setting your own agenda".
"You did it again this morning, which is probably why I'm a bit upset, this constant sort of vilification” he moaned
This kind of comment strikes me as being rather contradictory. Alistair was the expert at setting the news agenda.
In 2003, when BBC journalist Andrew Giligan accused Campbell and the Labour government of sexing up the dodgy dossier on Iraq, Campbell replied in the way he knew best.
He launched his own attack on the BBC and its coverage over the invasion, airing his views on as many news platforms as he could. This was a clear attempt at controlling the news agenda, and it worked.
So we must not feel sorry for Campbell. Maybe I’m underestimating him. Maybe the tears were fake, an accusation, which was leveled at our prime minister yesterday in the Daily fascist… I mean the Daily Mail
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