Exit of Blair aide prompts suspicion, little surprise

Campbell, Blair's chief spokesman since 1994 and latterly his powerful director of communications and strategy, insisted he had long intended to stand down.

But it seems clear that Campbell's central role in a bitter row over allegations the Blair government hyped up the case for war against Iraq made his supposedly backroom role impossible.

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Blair testified on Thursday before a judicial inquiry into the death of David Kelly, the government arms expert at the centre of the Iraq row, and faces a weekend of fevered press speculation about his future.

Thus, while many hailed Campbell as a tough and effective operator, some saw in its timing a final conjuring up of the spin doctor's dark arts to take the heat off his embattled boss.

"The timing of this announcement makes it look like a spin to end a spin," said Doug Henderson, a disgruntled MP from Blair's ruling Labour Party.

"The real issue remains unanswered. What evidence did the government have to lead them to believe that (Iraqi leader) Saddam Hussein was a threat and that the country should go to war?"

Another notable feature of reaction to the news was that even those who praised Campbell most fervently made no bones about his infamously prickly character.

Blair himself called his trusted lieutenant "an immensely able, fearless, loyal servant" of the government but also conceded that he was "a strong character who can make enemies".

"Alastair has often been controversial and occasionally infuriating," conceded Home Secretary David Blunkett, Britain's interior minister, before also praising Campbell's work.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott -- who had reason enough to resent Campbell, given that the unelected advisor was often referred to as "the real deputy prime minister" -- was even blunter.

"There were times I would shout at Alastair and times he would shout at me. That's the nature of the guy," Prescott said, while calling the resignation "a sad day".

Perhaps the most surprising tribute came from Robin Cook, who resigned as foreign minister earlier this year because he could not support the Iraq war.

According to widespread reports, Campbell had telephoned Cook in 1997 and ordered him to choose between his wife and mistress because news of Cook's affair had leaked to newspapers and would damage the government.

Despite holding one of the most powerful offices in the land, Cook, who was about to fly out of London, meekly got off the phone and told his wife -- who was also at the airport -- that their 30-year marriage was over.

"I always found Alastair straight and was always glad when I took his advice," said Cook, who has since married his mistress.

Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock paid his own tribute, calling Campbell "brave, loyal and very direct".

Kinnock, who recruited Campbell from journalism to the Labour party and then government service, noted that Blair's right-hand man had "done his duty" by prolonging his service through the Iraq war and subsequent storms.

Away from Labour Party circles, some political animals hoped Campbell's departure would be the high water mark for the government's perceived obsession with presentation and image.

"We have seen the most appalling era of government communication," fumed Bernard Ingham, often accused of similar crimes when he was press secretary to former Conservative prime minister Margaret Thatcher.