Mandelson attacks 'extreme rightwing figures' for Gordon Brown pill 'smears'

[T_i_B]

Source: Guardian

Lord Mandelson today criticised "extreme rightwing figures" for circulating rumours on the internet which led to Gordon Brown being asked on the BBC whether he had been prescribed medication to help him cope with the pressures of his job. The question has sparked fury among delegates at Labour's conference in Brighton, with former minister Caroline Flint this morning branding it "despicable".

Mandelson said it was "absolutely ridiculous" to suggest the PM had a problem with pill use, and blamed politically motivated bloggers for raising the possibility.

"We have seen out there on the internet, the blogosphere, all these extreme rightwing people trying to put these smears and rumours about, all completely groundless," he said in an interview on GMTV. "Frankly, the only surprising thing about all this is that the BBC of all people should choose to give it credibility."

The row broke out after Andrew Marr, the presenter of the BBC's Sunday morning political discussion show, asked the prime minister about rumours that he has been prescribed painkillers. The rumours have so far been reported mainly on rightwing websites.


Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/sep/28/gordon-brown-andrew-marr-medication

[Newsjock]

1. "Don't you think she looks tired?"

Gordon Brown as Harriet Jones.

[bigworld]

4. nice.

that was a good episode.

[Swagman]

2. taking painkillers is a "smear" ?..if he needs them why not ?..unlike that fat tub of lard

Rush Limpballs

[WriteDown]

3. Nobody should be allowed to take painkillers....

They are forced upon us by the medical establishment. Relaxation and meditation are all that are needed. :eyes:

[MellonCollie]

5. If Mandelson's saying the claims are "groundless"...

...I'd put money on them being true.

[T_i_B]

6. If the claims came from Guido Fawkes' poxy website....

I'd put your money on the claims being false.