Campbell says he is ready to be an MP

Former No10 chief spin doctor Alastair Campbell has said for the first time that he may try to become a Labour MP.

In what would be a spectacular return to frontline politics, Mr Campbell said he was considering the idea of standing for Parliament "because it is an enormous privilege".

Tony Blair's former director of communications revealed in an interview that he may seek election because he has felt rudderless since leaving Downing Street and needed "to put myself under pressure somehow".

Speaking in the new Radio Times out tomorrow, Mr Campbell dismissed claims by former BBC director-general Greg Dyke that he had been sacked by Mr Blair because he had been out of control.

He also revealed that his diary, kept during nine years as Mr Blair's right-hand man, consisted of a total of more than six million words. Extracts of the diary will only be published once Mr Blair has left office. The interview also includes fresh revelations that Mr Campbell prepared for the Hutton Inquiry by reminding himself of an earlier nervous breakdown. But it is his admission that he may seek to become a Labour MP that will trigger most interest - and, perhaps, a race to find him a safe seat before the next general election.

Mr Campbell, who adds that he has been asked to get involved in the general election campaign, retains considerable support in the party, particularly at grass-roots level.

He hit back at Mr Dyke's claims that he was forced out of his job by Mr Blair.

"Balls," he said. "I gave up my job because I had to deal with so much crap. Life's too short. I had to be crystal clear so I was forceful and combative, and some people find that unnerving."