Google has blotted it’s “do no evil” image by conceding to censorship by the Communist party dictatorship which controls the Chinese regime. So perhaps Google thought they needed someone with experience of media control in a party dominated context.

That would explain why Google has hired a protege of Alastair Campbell, former New Labour spinmeister Tim Allan. Tim Allan’s firm Portland PR has a subtle, but approriate, logo – a rolodex. He’ll be working with Rachel Whetstone who is head of communications at Google since leaving Michael Howard’s side (she also previously worked at Portland). Google will therefore have an in with Labour and the Tories (though Guido heard she had fallen out with Cameron).

Why does Google need high powered lobbyists in the UK?