Just as Gordon began to hope the Smeargate story was running out of steam, his now arch nemesis Guido Fawkes runs with this banner:
'Smeargate II: More revelations on this blog tomorrow'.
Essentially, two stories are emerging from Westminster.
Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, The Times are reporting that Ed Ball, the school secretary, has been running a 'black-op' smear operation from No. 10. His aim it seems was to challenge potential rivals to the Labour leadership following the lose of next year's election.
Then secondly, and directly tied in with the previous stories leaked last weekend, it appears a great deal more from No. 10 knew of the 'Red Rag' project than has previously been claimed. The News of the World is claiming that Labour's General Secretary chaired a meeting regarding Red Rag in the company of the now infamous Dolly and McBride. Furthermore, it implicates the close ally of Gordon, Charlie Whelan.
These new revelations make it increasingly difficult for the Prime Minister to merely brush off the claims of smears as a low-level activity. Rather, it demonstrates that very senior figures within the party and government were committed to the Red Rag project and prepared to take administrative steps to establish the site and the smears.
These stories demonstrate a party and government out of control and unable to deflect attention away with new policy initiatives. James Pernell's nice attempt earlier this week (regarding drug users having benefits cut) was over 9 months old. Talk about a rehash. Perhaps most damaging though is the latest sets of polling figures that accompany these headlines.
They reveal that whilst Gordon may not (yet) be directly implicated, the emails they have done his personal standings no good what-so-ever. The Conservatives now lead with a hefty 46% compared to Labour's 26%.
Expect plenty more in the days to come as both bloggers and the main stream media have demonstrated that this story has plenty more mileage yet.
Incidentally, whilst Gordon may be facing the shit - Sebastian Vettel, the Red Bull F1 driver, looks likely to have a ball at today's Chinese Grand Prix. You can guess what Mr Relations shall be watching behind his morning paper...
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