Gordon has just sent this email to Labour Party activists:

Guido,

As you may know, I have apologised to Mrs Duffy for remarks I made in the back of the car after meeting her on the campaign trail in Rochdale today. I would also like to apologise to you.

I know how hard you all work to fight for me and the Labour Party, and to ensure we get our case over to the public. So when the mistake I made today has so dominated the news, doubtless with some impact on your own campaigning activities, I want you to know I doubly appreciate the efforts you make.

Many of you know me personally. You know I have strengths as well as weaknesses. We all do. You also know that sometimes we say and do things we regret. I profoundly regret what I said this morning.

I am under no illusions as to how much scorn some in the media will want to heap upon me in the days ahead.

But you, like I, know what is at stake in the days ahead and so we must redouble our campaigning efforts to stop Britain returning to a Tory Party that would do so much damage to our economy, our society and our schools and NHS, not least in places like Rochdale.

The worst thing about today is the hurt I caused to Mrs Duffy, the kind of person I came into politics to serve. It is those people I will have in my mind as I look ahead to the rest of the campaign.

You will have seen me in one context on the TV today. I hope tomorrow you see once more someone not just proud to be your leader, but also someone who understands the economic challenges we face, how to meet them, and how that improves the lives of ordinary families all around Britain.

Regards,

Gordon

Animation credit : My Left Peg on the Football 365 forum

Gordon is back in Rochdale to apologise in person to Mrs Duffy. He has already called her. If anything this is starting to fuel the story and you would hope they have cleared that she won’t go for his throat before he got in the car. Returning to scene of the crime? Something tells Guido this might all go very wrong again. The baying media scrum is waiting with baited breath…

UPDATE: After forty minutes Brown emerges having grovelled to Mrs Duffy, who refused to come out with him. She is also refusing to talk to the press and the Labour spinners were unable to confirm whether she had accepted the Prime Mentalist’s apology.

Why on earth was he smiling?

Nick Robinson said…

“For those of us that have known Gordon Brown for many years, what we have just seen is no huge surprise I have to say.”

In the first Prime Ministers’ debate, the candidates were asked to answer a question on immigration:

Audience Questioner: Good evening. What key elements for a fair, workable immigration policy need to be put in place to actually make it work effectively?
Gordon Brown : You know, I’ve heard the concerns around the country. I’ve been listening to people. I know people feel there are pressures because of immigration. That’s why we want to control and manage immigration.

No wonder he bombed in the post-debate polls – voters already know not to believe a word they hear from Jonah’s lips…

UPDATE FLASHBACK II: On the 31st March, Brown said: “The question of who comes to Britain, and what they have to do to earn that privilege, is something that should be the subject of open and responsible debate. But how we conduct this debate is as important as the debate itself.”

On the Jeremy Vine show, Brown stressed that he wanted to discuss the issue with Mrs Duffy but, despite wanting an “open and reasonable debate,” couldn’t: “It was the view that she expressed that I was worried about but couldn’t respond to.” Couldn’t? Or didn’t want to?

Twenty minutes later Gordon begs for forgiveness.