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03/09/2003
Blair moves to curb 'spin doctor' role
The Prime Minister's new Director of Communications David Hill looks unlikely to have many of the powers enjoyed by predecessor Alastair Campbell.
Publishing the interim conclusions of the Phillis Review of Government Communications today, the Prime Ministers office has indicated that the recommendations made on the operation of government communications at the centre and will be implemented in full.
According the Prime Minster's office, the new arrangements will "improve co-ordination across Whitehall and help Government communicate better with the public".
One of the main recommendations of the report is that a new Permanent Secretary based in the Cabinet Office, with access to the Prime Minister, will focus on a strategic approach to communications across Government.
The Prime Minister's senior official spokesman, who as a consequence will be responsible to the Permanent Secretary appointed for Government Communications, who will also take the lead on the civil service aspects of the Downing Street communications operation.
Confirming the appointment of David Hill as the Prime Minister's Director of Communications, he will be responsible to the Prime Minister and lead the political aspects of the Downing Street communications.
However, Mr Hill will also assist Cabinet Ministers, and their special advisers, with the political context for departmental communications.
The Prime Minister accepted the Review Group's recommendation that it is not necessary for the Director of Communications to have the executive powers contained in the Order in Council and these will be allowed to lapse.
Minister for the Cabinet Office Douglas Alexander said: "These changes reflect the work and recommendations of the independent external review on the role of the centre in government communications, chaired by Bob Phillis. I am grateful to the review team for their constructive contribution and I look forward to receiving the final report".
The Prime Minister has now asked the Review Group to complete its work, taking into account any recommendations that may emerge from the Hutton Inquiry.
He has also asked the Review Group to "reflect further on its view that the media too has a responsibility for balancing the need to scrutinise government communication, with a need to ensure that the adversarial relationship does not become a barrier to public understanding of government and politics".
(SP)
Publishing the interim conclusions of the Phillis Review of Government Communications today, the Prime Ministers office has indicated that the recommendations made on the operation of government communications at the centre and will be implemented in full.
According the Prime Minster's office, the new arrangements will "improve co-ordination across Whitehall and help Government communicate better with the public".
One of the main recommendations of the report is that a new Permanent Secretary based in the Cabinet Office, with access to the Prime Minister, will focus on a strategic approach to communications across Government.
The Prime Minister's senior official spokesman, who as a consequence will be responsible to the Permanent Secretary appointed for Government Communications, who will also take the lead on the civil service aspects of the Downing Street communications operation.
Confirming the appointment of David Hill as the Prime Minister's Director of Communications, he will be responsible to the Prime Minister and lead the political aspects of the Downing Street communications.
However, Mr Hill will also assist Cabinet Ministers, and their special advisers, with the political context for departmental communications.
The Prime Minister accepted the Review Group's recommendation that it is not necessary for the Director of Communications to have the executive powers contained in the Order in Council and these will be allowed to lapse.
Minister for the Cabinet Office Douglas Alexander said: "These changes reflect the work and recommendations of the independent external review on the role of the centre in government communications, chaired by Bob Phillis. I am grateful to the review team for their constructive contribution and I look forward to receiving the final report".
The Prime Minister has now asked the Review Group to complete its work, taking into account any recommendations that may emerge from the Hutton Inquiry.
He has also asked the Review Group to "reflect further on its view that the media too has a responsibility for balancing the need to scrutinise government communication, with a need to ensure that the adversarial relationship does not become a barrier to public understanding of government and politics".
(SP)
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