As predicted by Guido in July, Labour’s new Deputy Director of Communications is the Sunday Telegraph political editor Paddy Hennessy. Ed says:
“I am delighted to welcome Paddy to the Labour Party as our new Deputy Director of Communications. His experience working at a range of national newspapers will add significant expertise to the Labour Party’s communications team. I’m looking forward to working with him.”
He’s already on message:
“I am sad to be leaving the Sunday Telegraph after nine great years but this is an exciting new challenge. After nearly 30 years working in newspapers, it’s a big move but a simple task: to help Labour win the general election. I’m delighted to be joining.”
No more attacks on Old Etonians then. With Damian McBride’s book serialised in the Mail this week, Paddy can provide expert advice about his old drinking buddy…
UPDATE: Well that didn’t take long:
https://twitter.com/toryeducation/status/380293726993518594
Given he was ruined by a cash-for-questions sting carried out by undercover journalists, you might have thought disgraced Patrick Mercer would have had enough of gossip-mongering hacks. Apparently not. Mercer is trying his hand as a journalist for US website Newsmax, known for exposing the dodgy dealings of politicians stateside. A case of gamekeeper turned poacher?
This is the first week that Guido’s column has gone live online on a Sunday in the new look Sun. Subscribers get access to The Sun app on tablet, mobile and desktop as well as exclusive access to the new Sun+ Goals App. This week:
- Guido reveals hitherto unnamed government source who told The Times Ed Miliband is “a f**king c**t and a copper-bottomed s***”.
- Vince Cable’s ill wind.
- Harman and the bearded lady.
- The Tory MP who employs his wife and girlfriend at our expense!
- The Tory whips advice on dress sense with reference to Jacob Rees-Mogg, Nick Boles, Claire Perry & Esther McVey.
- News of Nadine’s six-figure book deal.
Don’t get wet going to the newsagents when you can subscribe online. Politics for the many, not the few…
Melanie Phillips has left the Mail, Media Guido can reveal. She blogs:
The Mail want to shake up their Monday op-ed page and so I shall shortly stop writing my regular Monday column for them. Instead, they want me to write other major pieces. They say they are very keen that I should continue to have a significant presence in the paper.
That’s certainly an option, although I have other plans for writing – and now, also, publishing. I am gratefully aware, though, from the many thousands of people who have written to me in passionate agreement over the years, that I have a very large following indeed among Daily Mail readers. Many write to me to say I am the only reason they read the paper (it’s enough to turn a girl’s head!) Only today, I was stopped at a Tube station by a woman who said: ‘I love your articles; don’t ever stop writing them’.
I can promise her, and all my many followers, that I shall indeed continue to write them. As for where – well, watch this space.
It is understood that she will be replaced by Dominic Lawson.
Boo.
Michael Le Vell not guilty on all charges. It's bloody ridiculous a mans life & reputation can be so comprehensively trashed in this way
— Phillip Schofield (@Schofe) September 10, 2013
This would be the same Phillip Schofield who cost ITV £125,000 in damages after smearing Lord McAlpine as a nonce…
Michael Le Vell not guilty of all charges.
— Media Guido (@MediaGuido) September 10, 2013
Free for his next role…
