Moore in row over funeral day story

Jo Moore, the special adviser to the Transport Secretary, Stephen Byers, was at the centre of a fresh row over spin last night after allegations that a damaging story about rail safety was planned for release tomorrow, the day of Princess Margaret's funeral.

The Government denied as "rubbish'' newspaper reports that at a strategy meeting on Monday morning Ms Moore had called for a negative news story to be made public on the day of the royal funeral.

The reports said that the department's communications director, Martin Sixsmith, had been forced to send an e-mail demanding that no such announcement be made on the day. "Jo Moore had nothing to do with the scheduling of this announcement," said a spokesman for the Department of Transport. "The decision on timing was taken by the director of communications."

While not denying that the e-mail was sent by Mr Sixsmith, government sources denied that it had been sent directly to Ms Moore.

Government sources also said the planned announcement, on proposals to publish regular figures on train delays, cancellations and signals passed at danger, was not damaging.

The announcement has been brought forward to today.