Councilbust

Conservative MP for Rochford and Southend East James Duddridge called for confirmation from the Prime Minister yesterday that all ties have been cut with Damian McBride.

Mr McBride, ex-advisor to Gordon Brown, was held largely responsible for a leaked internet smear campaign against the Conservatives.

The incident brought scandal to the Labour party, which first came to power after an effective anti-sleaze campaign.

Yesterday, Mr Duddridge asked Mr Brown during a Parliamentary debate:

“Can the Prime Minister confirm whether he has had any correspondence, e-mail, telephone calls or texts from Damian McBride since the day he resigned, and just to clear up the confusion that there seems to be around this issue, will he write to the Parliamentary Standards Authority confirming the answer to this question?”

Mr Brown was quick and dismissive in his response, saying:

“The answer is no, but is it not amazing when we are discussing Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and other major issues that a back bencher can reduce himself to re-asking a question that was asked last week?”

Mr Brown was asked the same question last week by Conservative Lee Scott, after rumours circulated that Mr McBride was already advising Mr Brown again in an “informal” capacity.

Last week, Liberal Democrat candidate for Southend West Peter Welch sent David Amess a letter asking him to explain various points in his expenses paperwork.

This included requests to explain why Mr Amess claimed for more travel expenditure than other MPs from the same area, and what he employed “Westminster Consultancy” for, as this was unclear from the invoice provided.

Yesterday, Mr Welch received a response from Mr Amess’ office.

The letter, from Mr Amess’ political secretary, said that “Mr Amess does not respond to letters sent to the media,” but that “the various points [Welch] raised in the letter about claims for allowances are being addressed and responses provided.”

Mr Welch maintains his view that Mr Amess should step down as MP for Southend West immediately.