Furore over test tackle 'classic spin-doctoring'

Alastair Campbell

One of Alastair Campbell's former political allies has warned the All Blacks not to be distracted by "spin" from the touring Lions rugby team's media adviser.

Bryan Gould, the former British Labour MP and Waikato University vice-chancellor, said yesterday that he had worked with Campbell before he became Prime Minister Tony Blair's chief media adviser.

Mr Gould said the furore over the tackle that put Lions captain Brian O'Driscoll out of the tour was classic spin-doctoring from a professional media manipulator.

"He has a bad-news story that he must damp down. He'll go to any lengths to divert attention from the pathetic Lions' performance on Saturday night. For him, the 'spear' tackle is manna from heaven," Mr Gould said.

O'Driscoll's shoulder was dislocated after being tackled by All Blacks captain Tana Umaga and hooker Keven Mealamu. "The All Blacks must realise that they, and New Zealand as a whole, are just bit players in this manufactured drama. Alastair's only concern is the British media. His only target is to get the critics off [Lions coach] Clive Woodward's back. He doesn't care what the New Zealand reaction is.

"If the All Blacks allow themselves to be distracted, that is a bonus; but the only goal that matters for him is to stop the British media from writing and talking about Saturday's beating."

New Zealand-born Mr Gould, who lives near Opotiki, resigned from British politics in 1994. While he was an MP, Campbell was political editor of the Daily Mirror.

Mr Gould said although "not technically" working for the Labour Party at that time, Campbell offered media advice to and socialised with party leaders, including himself.

- NZPA