Campbell returns to front-line campaigning
Alistair Campbell, the former Downing Street Communications chief, will be taking up a key role in the next general election campaign.
Mr Campbell resigned from his position in the run-up to the Hutton Inquiry but was later cleared of the allegation that he “sexed-up” the Government’s Iraq dossier.
As Tony Blair’s right hand man, Mr Campbell was seen as a key figure in orchestrating Labour’s two successful general election campaigns. But, a controversial and sometimes divisive figure, it is not clear whether he will be welcomed back by the public and the Labour Party as a whole.
Since leaving Government, Mr Campbell has been touring the country on speaking engagements.
Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell told Sky News that: “Of course Alastair’s going to be part of the election campaign and I think that all of us who will also be part of the election campaign are very pleased about that.”
It is not thought that Mr Campbell’s new job will bring him into competition with his replacement in Downing Street, David Hill, who is Mr Blair’s press secretary.
If pundits’ predictions of a May 2005 general election prove accurate, campaigning could begin early in the new year.
