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Guido Fawkes

15 April 2009

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Guido Fawkes outlines his role in the downfall of Damian McBride

The Sunday Times text: ‘we are going to go big on this.’ I alert the whistle- blower that the game is on and write a blog naming the mudslingers in the Downing Street bunker. Chris Hope calls. I had almost forgotten about the Telegraph. He says they are not going to buy the story but asks: ‘How old are you, Paul?’ Immediately I remind him of the NDA and warn him against doing a spoiler. ‘Well, it’s just in case Downing Street try to stop you. That cross-hairs picture has got them worried.’ ‘How would you know that?’ The spoiler is out from the Telegraph late on Friday; it doesn’t name McBride but might as well have his byline. Chris has broken his word to me. I call him and abuse him for his treachery in no uncertain terms. A BBC Today show producer calls at midnight — I agree to go on the next morning.

After Today I give the BBC the emails, embargoed until the papers come out. The effect is electrifying. The BBC News operation swings behind the story, momentum builds. The BlackBerry is ringing non-stop. Saturday morning is my daughters’ Easter egg hunt. Two chocolate-loving girls cannot believe their luck. The four-year-old moves fast, harvesting eggs for her basket, the two-year-old finds one egg and stuffs the whole thing in her mouth. Life is good — yet nagging worries remain. I decide to destroy all computer hard drives just in case, and order new ones. Instead of profiting, this is costing. Blog in between doing talking-head stuff for broadcasters. McBride resigns. ‘Mission Accomplished’ is my smug headline. My two-year-old is ecstatic to see her daddy on television. The four-year-old joins me on a phone interview, much to the confusion of the Sky presenter.

Sunday I buy all the papers. Bump into a grim-looking Liam Byrne in a broadcaster’s studio. ‘Hello Liam,’ I beam. He just stares back like an aggressive skinhead. Lunch with our neighbours is strained by endless phone interviews. ITN call when I am on the second bottle of Margaux: could they have a quick response to the news? The first question begins ‘So Mr Draper...’ — they have mixed us up — ‘what is your response to the news of Mr McBride’s resignation?’ I decide to say what Draper should say. I apologise profusely and tell them, ‘I am considering my position.’ They broadcast my impersonation at about 5 p.m. Just the once.

Paul Staines writes the Guido Fawkes blog (www.order-order.com).

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savage

April 16th, 2009 11:22am Report this comment

Thank you. I'm sorry it ended up costing you, but I'm sure you know it was worth it. Keep going (at all parties including MSM).

Johan

April 16th, 2009 12:05pm Report this comment

Thank you Guido. I hope this goes on to cost Chris Hope a little something too - he's already lost my respect, not that he'll give a damn.

squealer

April 16th, 2009 12:30pm Report this comment

Hahah so you did want to make money out of this. Oh well.

Patrick

April 16th, 2009 12:43pm Report this comment

I followed with great interest this story as it proceeded on your blog. Nice to know a bit of the background. For all our sakes keep at it.

Ecko

April 16th, 2009 12:55pm Report this comment

Oh, don't be sanctimonous, the poor git hangs his neck out for the rest of us day by day.

overweight slobs rule the uk

April 16th, 2009 2:36pm Report this comment

He's almost as likeable as Draper and McBride

Pip Gold

April 16th, 2009 2:59pm Report this comment

Reading that last bit I just barked out laughing and terrified the dog.

Katabasis

April 16th, 2009 3:20pm Report this comment

Well done Guido. I'm with you. Many others are too.

Another major battle won. Eventually we'll win the war.

Craig Strachan

April 16th, 2009 3:39pm Report this comment

So, Paul - how does it feel to be the Susan Boyle of journalism?

oneuniverse

April 16th, 2009 5:16pm Report this comment

Well done, well done!

Ed the Shred

April 16th, 2009 5:58pm Report this comment

Great to have this additional background Guido. Loved the ITN Draper confusion anecdote.

It is clear that you are feeling a bit miffed at Chris Hope running the DT spoiler on Saturday (NDA notwithstanding). However do you feel, in retrospect, that the spoiler actually helped build anticipation and momentum to the story? I think it did.

The Admirer

April 16th, 2009 6:55pm Report this comment

Suberb. And thanks for the insight. Been following on your Blog, Oh National Treasure.

Joe Public

April 16th, 2009 8:24pm Report this comment

Did you say "Sorry" to Dolly about ruining his holiday?

City of Vice

April 16th, 2009 9:12pm Report this comment

Well done Guido. These cowardly MSM lobby journalist types have been lying to us for years, by allowing the government to lie to us for years, in their grovelling over scraps from the table of No 10. Yet now that you've done the heaving lifting they seek to take the credit and cast aspersions as to the quality of your work. Well, speaking as 'a man in the street', I would like thank you for your efforts, and stick a virtual two fingers up at the craven lobby 'journalist' lickspittles.

Stewart

April 17th, 2009 3:04am Report this comment

Unlucky about the money. However, I'm sure you'd be within your rights to increase your advertising rates on your website after this story. Well done on helping to tip those rotters in government over the edge. Keep it up and watch your back.

James R

April 17th, 2009 5:08am Report this comment

I think they nearly lost him at 'How soon can you come over to Wapping?'
The appropriate response to which question would have been: 'Listen carefully, my man, I'm presently sat over a large one at El Vino's. I'm the tall geezer with the pointy hat down in the basement. Now how soon can YOU get YOURself over HERE?'

Canary Wharf Rat

April 17th, 2009 3:48pm Report this comment

Easter weekend marked a turning point and we have you to thank. Not only did you expose the low and murky depths this administration will plumb, you also made a whole country aware that we do have an alternative to the shite we have to swallow from the "mainstream" new media.
That fact will change the face of Politics in this country forever. The control freaks are fast losing control. Power to the people.