Campbell spin was 'poison'

Former Downing Street communications director Alastair Campbell "poisoned the well" of the Government's communications machine, MPs were told today.

Paul Dacre, editor-in-chief of Associated Newspapers, which includes the Evening Standard, said Mr Campbell's departure from No10 last year had improved relations between Tony Blair's administration and the media.

He told the all-party public administration select committee that all sides - government and newspapers included - were partly to blame for a breakdown in trust between politicians and voters.

He said complaints that newspapers were unfair or over-aggressive must always be seen in the context of the spin operation put in place by Mr Campbell at the very heart of government.

This had made an art form of "disinformation" and "media manipulation," Mr Dacre said, accusing Campbell of authorising "smears" of those disagreeing with the Government.

The situation had "slightly improved" since Mr Campbell left and was replaced by David Hill - but there was still a long way to go, Mr Dacre added.

He accused Mr Campbell of a "cynical attempt to break the BBC" over the David Kelly affair. In lively exchanges, he told MPs there was a need to return "to the days when if a No10 press spokesman tells you something you can believe it".