Well, not exactly. But he has appeared today at a political event at the BBC, as Guido reveals. Apparently it was some kind of internal planning event (understood to have featured Lord Mandelson) giving guidance on the coming election to the Beeb.
There is some discomfort among the Tories about the idea of McBride’s (partial) rehabilitation. This is the statement from Eric Pickles, chair of the Conservatives:
“Damian McBride was the conductor of one of the most brutal and malicious smear operations in Downing Street. It is highly questionable what a man like this can contribute to a BBC event about maintaining high journalistic standards.”
“Impartiality must be at the heart of what the BBC does. This raises serious concerns. Did Mr McBride get paid, were his travel and other expenses paid, did he receive any gifts for attending this event? The BBC must come clean on all these issues.”
Jim Pickard
Kiran Stacey