Sixsmith in Whitehall TV show row

Martin Sixsmith, who quit as Department of Transport communications chief amid spin rows, has accused the Government of blocking a Channel 4 documentary he is making about Whitehall.

"They have issued blanket instructions to ministries not to co-operate with it," he said. Mr Sixsmith told PR Week he had been barred from filming at the civil service college.

The magazine says a government spokesman admitted a request for a private meeting with Mr Sixsmith had been turned down but insisted the Government had "assisted the production company in their enquiries to date".