'BBC men make us look sleazy'

Labour today launched a ferocious attack on Today, the BBC's flagship radio news programme, accusing its presenters of treating all politicians as sleazy.

Party general secretary David Triesman claimed James Naughtie, John Humphrys and their colleagues were to blame for the public losing interest in politics.

Writing in the New Labour magazine Progress, he said: "I am hard pushed to recall an instance where the Today programme, to choose an example, has dealt with a politician of any party as though they were not a consummate liar trying to line their own pockets.

"Any politician is likely to be treated as though they have some nefarious and personal gain at stake. We will be pursuing this because I think it is incredibly hard to feel any kind of faith in politicians if the only message is that they are sleazy."

Today's interviewers are among those most feared by politicians because of their penchant for interruption and ridicule. However, Today editor Rod Liddle told The Times: "All we want to do is find out the truth. As politics is more and more stringently managed, it becomes that much harder to get to the bottom of issues. We do not see any need to change our approach."

Today's outburst goes further to demonstrate the falling-out between New Labour and the media after a long honeymoon.

Senior Labour figures have warned that reliance on spin is starting to rebound on ministers. Former Cabinet minister Peter Mandelson last night called for Labour to use less spin, saying: "The Government has perhaps got to be a little bit less controlling and a bit more relaxed."