Forum for former BBC staff

Forum for former BBC staff
http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl >> News and Comment >> Jowell slams Campbell http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1076151348 Message started by Forum Admin on Feb 7^th, 2004, 10:56am

Title: Jowell slams Campbell
Post by Forum Admin on Feb 7^th, 2004, 10:56am

The Culture Secretary, Tessa Jowell - whose department is responsible for the BBC - has strongly criticised "ministers and officials" for the way they handled the Gilligan affair.
In an interview with the Daily Telegraph she speaks of "testosterone-charged men in the TV and radio studios, showing off about how much tougher they are, trying to score off everyone else". She adds: "It's a real turn-off".

In what seems a clear reference to Alastair Campbell, she says: "You don't need to shout and abuse people - you can be polite and constructive."

Title: Re: Jowell slams Campbell
Post by Forum Admin on Feb 8^th, 2004, 1:36pm

Later Miss Jowell denied she meant Campbell. She said in a statement:

"I deny absolutely telling the Telegraph that Alastair Campbell has behaved in a bullying or aggressive manner or has little respect for voters. It is simply not true.

"I did say in this interview, as I have in the past, that the aggressive style of political discourse can turn off voters, but at no point did I mention or hint at Alastair Campbell in this context.

"Alastair is a close personal friend and I have always admired his life-long efforts to defend and promote the best of Labour's values."