Downing St trashes diplomats

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By Patrick Hennessy, Evening Standard Deputy Political Editor
27 April 2004

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Downing Street aides were finalising a fightback strategy and stressed the Prime Minister's belief in the drive for "stability, peace and freedom" in the Middle East.

But the vigour of the attack by the ex-diplomats, signed by some of the most senior envoys of the last generation, took No 10 by surprise.

It suggested Mr Blair's policy of wholehearted backing for President Bush was unpopular with serving diplomats, who are unable to criticise the Government in public, and called for a " fundamental reassessment" of Britain's policy towards both the US and the Middle East.

The letter, sent to a news agency, was another blow to Mr Blair's authority in the wake of a Cabinet split over his promise of a referendum on the European constitution.
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More:
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/articles/10451272?source=Evening%20Standard

Poodle Brothers are on the run. No way of keeping the smell out of the corridors of power any more.