DEVELOPMENT SECRETARY FACES QUESTIONS.

DEVELOPMENT SECRETARY FACES QUESTIONS.

International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander faces mounting questions today (Thursday) on his role in Labour’s smear scandal, as the row over Downing Street dirty politics followed the Cabinet to Scotland.

An article in PR Week published in November 2008 notes that Labour was set to develop a new blogging strategy and that a meeting took place chaired by Derek Draper, and attended by Douglas Alexander. The article suggests Mr Alexander was a key player on Labour’s ‘blog council’ and ominously notes that Mr Alexander ‘understood what needed to be done’.

SNP Shadow Scotland Office spokesperson, Angus MacNeil MP, said:

“It seems Derek Draper’s poisonous blogging plans were not only discussed with Downing Street advisors, but at least one Minister as well.

“Douglas Alexander has serious questions to answer on his role in this scandal, and he should start by confirming whether Labour are already operating a political poison page in Scotland and Wales already.

“Last month, the Welsh First Minister Rhodri Morgan was forced to defend the puerile Aneurin Glyndwr blog – launched by Peter Hain - which aimed a childish salvo at Plaid Cymru and Conservative politicians. A similar smear site is also up and running in Scotland.

“For someone who is apparently a key player on Labour’s blog council, Douglas Alexander has been remarkably quiet over the last week, and he must his explain his role in this scandal.

“The internet represents a massive opportunity for furthering political debate. Gordon Brown must act immediately to stop it being turned into a tool for Labour spin, smears and sleaze.”