PM denies involvement in firing of editor

Downing Street denied claims that Tony Blair had personally intervened in a dispute between Peter Mandelson and the editor of the local newspaper in his Hartlepool constituency.

It was claimed that the Prime Minister made a discreet phone call to the owners of the Hartlepool Mail, Johnston Press, in an attempt to have the editor removed from his post. The intervention is alleged to have followed an 18-month dispute between the editor, Harry Blackwood, and Mr Mandelson. Mr Blackwood is currently on sick leave.

He has the backing of his staff, who turned up for work last week dressed in black in protest at alleged plans to suspend him.

A Downing Street spokesman said last night there was "no truth" in the claim that No 10 had become involved.

Relations between the MP and the newspaper hit rock bottom during the mayoral elections last May, when Mr Mandelson accused Mr Blackwood, who has been with the company for 30 years, of giving preferential editorial space to a candidate standing in a monkey costume. The "monkey", Stuart Drummond, defeated the Labour candidate.

Tim Bowdler, chief executive at Johnston Press, confirmed he had received three complaints from Mr Mandelson, none of which was upheld. But he dismissed the allegations about Mr Blair's involvement as "a game of Chinese whispers". He said: "What I can say with total certainly is that Mr Blair has not been in contact with the company."

While Mr Blackwood, 47, was unavailable for comment yesterday, sources at the Hartlepool Mail maintained that there was a link between Mr Mandelson's complaints and Mr Blackwood's uncertain future with the company.