Labour distances itself from BBC spin doctor drama

The Labour Party is bracing itself for a new BBC drama that highlights the role of fictional young activists in the 1997 election victory at the expense of senior politicians.

Party figures are seeking to distance themselves from the drama, entitled The Project, because they fear it will give a distorted picture of how the election was fought.

Ignoring main players such as Tony Blair, Peter Mandelson and Alastair Campbell, The Project follows the machinations of young apparatchiks working at Labour's Millbank HQ in central London.

Peter Kosminsky and Leigh Jackson, who were also behind the critically-acclaimed Bosnian war drama Warriors, have spoken to more than 120 party members and staff to research the two-part work.

But it was claimed yesterday that Mr Campbell, the Prime Minister's communications chief, had told staff and activists not to co-operate. A similar order was said to have gone out when Linda McDougall made a documentary about Cherie Blair last year.

Since announcing work on The Project earlier this year, the producers have insisted that it was not based upon any real-life individuals.

However, speculation has grown that the piece was inspired by people such as Tim Allan and James Purnell, both former Downing Street aides.

But Mr Purnell, now an MP, pointed out yesterday that he had not even worked for the Labour Party before 1997 and had, ironically, worked for the BBC, where he was obliged to be impartial.

Both he and Mr Allan dissociated themselves from the BBC drama, although Mr Purnell said he was not aware of any order from Mr Campbell.

"When we were contacted by the producers, we said that we didn't want to be involved," he said. "It seems to be presenting this idea that the renewal of the Labour Party was driven by some very junior advisers, whereas the people who drove it were Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and Peter Mandelson – people who were well-known rather than the minor bit players."

The Project, which will be broadcast this autumn, stars Matthew McFadyen, star of the recent Spooks, as an ambitious young Labour Party worker called Paul.

The most damaging factor for Labour could well be the drama's governing notion that many of those who campaigned for the party have been disillusioned by its achievements in power. It is certainly likely to reinforce public suspicions that Labour has been more concerned with spin than substance.

Mr Jackson said: "There was great anticipation when New Labour came to power, but it quickly became difficult to tell where Tory rule ended and New Labour began."