MP denies being part of email scandal

West Midlands MP Tom Watson today denied any involvement in the email scandal rocking Westminster. He was forced to deny helping prepare stories.

Cabinet Office minister Mr Watson spoke out as Prime Minister Gordon Brown faced demands for a personal apology over "smeargate".

The rebuttal from Mr Watson, MP for West Bromwich East came after one of Mr Brown's closest aides, Damian McBride, resigned in shame over his role in the scandal. This came to light when emails to fellow spin doctors were leaked.

The Prime Minister said there was "no place" in politics for such material. Sources also confirmed that Mr McBride would not be getting a pay-off.

But furious Conservatives stepped up efforts to pin the blame on Mr Brown, insisting he had fostered a "corrupting culture of spin" inside Number 10.

Labour figures also made clear their wrath at the activities.

Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said: "This has happened at the heart of his government right inside Downing StreJet.

"It is very important that he shows personally that he takes this very seriously and that it is not going to happen again."