The BBC has published extracts of an explicit email accidentally sent to a BBC journalist from the government's former media chief Alastair Campbell.

BBC TV's Newsnight programme was investigating Mr Campbell's role in a controversial poster campaign designed by advertising agency TBWA.

In an email apparently intended for a Labour party official, Mr Campbell suggested that TBWA should tell Newsnight that Labour and the agency worked well together.

He then added: "Now fuck off and cover something important you twats."

Mr Campbell later dismissed the row as a 'silly fuss' in a further email to the BBC.

No love will be lost between Mr Campbell and broadcaster after the WMD episode and Hutton Inquiry in 2003. Mr Campbell left his role as government media chief in August 2003, but returned to work on the Labour Party general election campaign.

More news from dotJournalism:
Hutton report: journalists fight back
Beeb defenders rally online

BBC coverage: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4247237.stm

Free daily newsletter

If you like our news and feature articles, you can sign up to receive our free daily (Mon-Fri) email newsletter (mobile friendly).