Campbell: Short motivated by bitterness

Clare Short's United Nations bugging claims were motivated by "bitterness", former Downing Street director of communications Alastair Campbell said.

He accused the former international development secretary of "mouthing off" about something and said there was no need for ministers to "dance to her tune".

"I think it's very sad that people who have been in position of influence and authority now behave in a way that just reveals a bitterness that is very very deep," Mr Campbell told London's LBC News.

"I'm not going to waste too much breath on her. I just think people feel sad when people they may well have respected behave in a way that is clearly very very bitter."

Mr Campbell also questioned the timing of Ms Short's intervention.

"I don't see why we should waste our time talking about something where, if she had felt so strongly about it and if it were the case, then why has it just come to light now?

"There are all sorts of things she could have done but she didn't.

"Just because Clare Short mouths off about something does not mean that the entire Government has to dance to her tune."

Mr Campbell, who is currently touring with his one-man question and answer show, An Audience with Alastair Campbell, expressed sympathy for Prime Minister Tony Blair, who was "a good bloke doing a good job".

Asked whether he still acted as an adviser to Number 10 and his successor as director of Communications David Hill, he added: "They are friends of mine, and so I speak to them."

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