Blog-gate: Tories demand apology from Brown after e-mail smears

DAMIAN McBride suggested several possible stories to ensure the New Labour "attack" website got off to a good start.

None was true.

• The first he described as a "solid investigative story" and suggested it "may be a good one to use early". It involved a gay Tory MP and allegations he was promoting his companion's business interests in the Commons.

"He invites MPs to a reception at the Commons – courtesy of the taxpayer – to promote (the retailer's) new fair-trade range of products."

The other suggestions for stories, Mr McBride admitted, were "gossipy and mainly intended to destabilise the Tories".

• Mr McBride seized on the admission by David Cameron in an interview once that, when a student, he attended a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases.

Mr McBride suggested that Mr Cameron should publish his financial and medical records – though there is no suggestion that the Tory leader ever had treatment at the clinic.

• The next subject of a possible smear was the shadow chancellor, George Osborne. Mr McBride suggested hinting that Mr Osborne might have embarrassing pictures from his university days.

"Embarrassing photos have followed George Osborne around throughout his career ... but he knows that the most embarrassing photos from his past have yet to emerge."

Mr McBride then suggested spreading rumours that pictures existed of Osborne "posing in bra, knickers and suspenders" and "with his face blacked up".

• Mr McBride also asked: "Why are friends of George Osborne letting it be known that his wife Frances has been feeling emotionally fragile?"

• In another, later e-mail, Mr McBride returned to the theme of Mr Osborne and embarrassing pictures, and also made some unfounded allegations about Nadine Dorries, a backbench Conservative MP.