'Toxic' spin doc told to quit politics; SCANDAL.Byline: JASON Jason, in Greek mythology Jason, in Greek mythology, son of Aeson. When Pelias usurped the throne of Iolcus and killed (or imprisoned) Aeson and most of his descendants, Jason was smuggled off to the centaur Chiron, who reared him secretly on Mt. Pelion. BEATTIE Deputy Political Editor SPIN doctor Derek Draper Derek Draper was a New Labour insider and lobbyist who was at the centre of a scandal about political lobbying known as "Lobbygate", the "Cash for Access" scandal, or "Drapergate". was yesterday branded "toxic" as calls grew for him to quit politics over the Smeargate scandal. Labour has vowed Mr Draper will never again work for the party. Now think-tank the Fabian Society Fabian Society, British socialist society. An outgrowth of the Fellowship of the New Life (founded 1883 under the influence of Thomas Davidson), the society was developed the following year by Frank Podmore and Edward Pease. wants him to quit LabourList, an independent website set up to share ideas between top party brass and activists. The group's Sunder Katwala said: "He's a toxic presence. You are not going to see any MP or minister on the site while he's there. The site is just a shell. It loses its purpose. "If he has Labour's interests at heart he must realise he can play no useful role." Mr Draper is under fire after describing lurid email rumours about Tories as "brilliant". But he said he would not quit. He said: "I've put my heart and soul in LabourList. I'm minded to soldier on." CAPTION(S): UNDER FIRE Derek Draper |
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