Tories demand Filkin inquiry

Cabinet Secretary Sir Richard Wilson today faced demands to launch his own inquiry into charges that Commons sleaze watchdog Elizabeth Filkin was smeared by "named civil servants".

The Tories moved to embarrass the Government by claiming its advisers, led by top Blair aide Alastair Campbell, were behind the campaign alleged by Mrs Filkin to undermine her. But MPs of all parties cheered the Speaker, Michael Martin, when he announced he is launching an investigation into the way Mrs Filkin's charges had been "leaked" to the media.

Mrs Filkin said later that she was "amazed" by the Speaker's statement and that she had leaked nothing but had released her full letter of complaint to the media after selective parts of it had been disclosed by the Speaker's office.

Shadow cabinet office minister Tim Collins said he was writing to Sir Richard today asking him to investigate Mrs Filkin's allegation that "named civil servants" had been involved. "This is a serious allegation which is besmirching the reputation of the whole civil service," Mr Collins said.