'Soft-focus' apology from embattled spin doctor fails to placate critics

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Chaotic press conference spells new disaster for 'spin doctor' trying to escape e-mail row

Jo Moore was forced into an abject apology yesterday for her notorious memo suggesting 11 September would be a good day to "bury" bad news.

Amid chaotic scenes at the Department of Transport, she delivered a personal statement regretting her "terrible error of judgement", but made it clear that she would remain as special adviser to Stephen Byers, Secretary of State for Transport.

But her comments – an attempt to defuse the controversy that has dogged the Government for more than a week since the memo's existence was revealed by The Independent – did not stem demands for her resignation.

The Tories attacked her for failing to apologise directly to the relatives of the victims of the New York disaster.

Ms Moore told Sky News: "I would like to again sincerely apologise for the huge offence I have caused by sending the e-mail. I well understand the disgust people feel with what I wrote. I very much wish I had never done it and, indeed, find it difficult to believe I did."

Ms Moore, in a halting and barely audible voice, added: "It is something I will have to live with for the rest of my life. I cannot take back – however I wish I could take it back – that terrible error of judgment.

"But I hope people will accept that my regret is genuine and heartfelt. Equally, I hope everyone will accept we all do things we regret in life. The most important thing is that we try to learn from them."

Ms Moore also apologised for the embarrassment that she had caused the Government, her department and Mr Byers. "I am grateful for another chance," she said. The timing of her statement caught Westminster by surprise, and its handling led to clashes between broadcasters and Whitehall officials. Her first public appearance since the conflict started came after Downing Street denied that its director of communication and strategy, Alastair Campbell, had demanded her sacking, only to be overruled by Tony Blair.

Theresa May, the shadow Secretary of State for Transport, stepped up Tory demands for Ms Moore and Mr Byers to resign. "I note the apology was to Stephen Byers ... not the families involved in the tragic events of 11 September," she said.

Repeating his call for Ms Moore's dismissal, the Labour chairman of the Commons public administration committee, Tony Wright, said: "It is a ... soft-focus apology, which comes some time after the event."

Downing Street said Ms Moore was keeping a low-profile because of "logistical problems the media interest has caused". Mr Blair's spokesman said later: "While we regret the offence to the families, it's time to draw a line and move on."