[A-List] UK news media: Hartlepool Mail

["Michael Keaney" <michael.keaney@xxxxxx>]

PM denies involvement in firing of editor
By Arifa Akbar
The Independent
24 February 2003

Downing Street denied claims that Tony Blair had personally intervened in a
dispute between Peter Mandelson and the editor of the local newspaper in his
Hartlepool constituency.

It was claimed that the Prime Minister made a discreet phone call to the
owners of the Hartlepool Mail , Johnston Press, in an attempt to have the
editor of 30 years removed from his post. The intervention is alleged to
have followed an 18-month dispute between the editor, Harry Blackwood, and
Mr Mandelson. Mr Blackwood is currently on sick leave.

He has the backing of his staff, who turned up for work last week dressed in
black in protest at alleged plans to suspend him.

A Downing Street spokesman said last night there was "no truth" in the claim
that No 10 had become involved.

Relations between the MP and the newspaper hit rock bottom during the
mayoral elections last May, when Mr Mandelson accused Mr Blackwood of giving
preferential editorial space to a candidate standing in a monkey costume.
The "monkey", Stuart Drummond, defeated the Labour candidate.

Tim Bowdler, chief executive at Johnston Press, confirmed he had received
three complaints from Mr Mandelson, none of which was upheld. But he
dismissed the allegations about Mr Blair's involvement as "a game of Chinese
whispers". He said: "What I can say with total certainly is that Mr Blair
has not been in contact with the company."

While Mr Blackwood, 47, was unavailable for comment yesterday, sources at
the Hartlepool Mail maintained that there was a link between Mr Mandelson's
complaints and Mr Blackwood's uncertain future with the company.