Here’s Gordon Brown’s view of Alistair Darling’s future as chancellor, as told to C4 News. One slip into the past tense could be understandable. But three times in a row? Darling’s prospects at the Treasury looks bleak.
Q: Have you still got full confidence in him? A: “Alistair Darling has been an excellent Chancellor, he has denied these allegations, any investigation that is taking place is taking place on a neutral basis, people will look at the facts and will find the answers but he has been very clear about his denial of these allegations”.
Q: Will he still be Chancellor in ten days time? A: “Alistair Darling has been a great chancellor and we have been working through this recession together. We’ve made some very big and difficult decisions, but I think we’ve got to look at the facts and once the facts are investigated as they will be, then lets get the right results”.
Q: And Chancellor in ten days time? A: “Alistair Darling has been a great chancellor and he is doing very well”.
Jim Pickard
Kiran Stacey