Andrew Marr's been in the trade of journalism for almost 30 years and certainly understands the nature of the 'news beast'. His interview with Gordon Brown yesterday, overlooking the shimmering English Channel from Brighton's Grand Hotel, was a mostly plodding affair. Then Andy switched suddenly from the grand picture of the economy, Brown's leadership and prospects for next year's election to a highly personal point.
"I wanted to ask about something everybody has been talking about in the Westminster village, he said pausing, "a lot of people in this country use prescription painkillers and pills to help them get through. Are you one of them?'
Beyond the word "no," Brown would not be drawn and waffled on about his rugby injury as if were the same point, on his eyesight, asked by Brian Williams of MSNBC last week. His refusal to even normalise the tone, by admitting the odd asprin, could be put down to Brown's notorious Presbytarian stiffness. But as the denials and counter-claims begin filing the blogosphere, the story begins to gain some little credence.
This news cycle is somewhat reminiscent of the Charles Kennedy's boozing rumours. So far there is no real evidence but all the early tracks point to Marr elucidating what many others daren't. But he also calculated his question would unleash a hundred different and very unhelpful phrases, as journalists sought to find new ways of saying the same thing.
"I'm not on drugs, says Gordon," was the Express's take. " Brown furiously denies popping pills," said the Sun. Curiously the Guardian switched from referring to painkillers to anti-depressants. Can one imagine Gordon taking Prozac?
Peter Mandelson put up a spirited defence on the GMTV sofa denying Gordon's "addiction." Of course, the best attack would be to demand Andrew Marr probes Davis Cameron about his drug use. Although his were illegal, at least Dave would able to say it was all in the distant past.
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