´óÏó´«Ã½

Programmes

Last updated: 26 july, 2010 - 12:39 GMT

Alastair Campbell: A personal journey in British politics

After many years as a newspaper journalist, Alistair Campbell rose to prominence as Tony Blair's Director of Communications and Strategy.

Alastair Campbell in pictures

  • Alastair Campbell in the Outlook studio.
  • Prime Minister Tony Blair with Alastair Campbell after a summit meeting with US President George Bush, March 2003.
  • In 2001, Campbell looking concerned as he accompanies Prime Minster Tony Blair.
  • Alastair said that one of the best moments of his life was playing football with Diego Maradona.
  • Alastair Campbell learned the bagpipes as a boy and is very proud of his Scottish ancestry.
  • Alastair Campbell and Matthew Bannister in the Outlook studio.

The job effectively made him the former prime minister's right-hand man and placed him at the centre of government policy, including the controversial decision to go to war in Iraq in 2003.

In a frank and personal interview with Outlook's Matthew Bannister, Alastair Campbell tells the story of his journey to Number 10, from schoolyard brawls, via Cambridge university, to heavy drinking and mental breakdown.

Alastair Campbell with Matthew Bannister

To play this content JavaScript must be turned on and the latest Flash player installed.

He reveals his talent for playing the bagpipes, his dedication to Burnley Football Club, his partner's dedication to him, and Tony Blair's sometimes surprising fashion choices.

Alastair Campbell talks about the psychological pressures of a life at the top of British politics, his bouts of severe depression, and the historic events which led him to stand down from his era-defining role as New Labour's spin-doctor.

Matthew Bannister and Alastair Campbell

Matthew Bannister and Alastair Campbell

First broadcast on 26 July 2010

More from Outlook

  • Extraordinary personal stories from around the world

  • Subscribe to and download our podcast for free

  • [an error occurred while processing this directive]

´óÏó´«Ã½ iD

´óÏó´«Ã½ navigation

´óÏó´«Ã½ © 2014 The ´óÏó´«Ã½ is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.