Damian McBride’s reported departure should be seen as a major part of today’s reshuffles. He has for years been Brown’s real “enforcer”, and – as Martin Bright argued – became a focal point amongst ministers who suspected he was briefing against anyone who defied his master. He was referred to as “McPoison” by none other than Peter Mandelson, so I link Mandy’s return and McBride’s departure – because Mandy knows the real power of spin doctors, would rightly see McBride as one of his major enemies and demand his head as the price of returning to government.
Without McBride, Brown’s media operation will take a major hit. McBride was very effective operator, serving up high value detail for the journalists he was on speaking terms with. He worked tirelessly for his master and, like Mandy, knew the Black Arts as well as anyone. I hold no brief for him, having been a subject of the various tactics he uses against enemy journalists: the “who do you think you are” emails and his “why do you employ a clueless loser like Nelson” rants to my more senior colleagues.
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