Duncan Smith challenge over Byers

Both Jo Moore and Martin Sixsmith lost their jobs

Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith has called on Tony Blair to further clarify the role of Stephen Byers in the spin row which claimed the jobs of Jo Moore and Martin Sixsmith.

In a letter to the prime minister, Mr Duncan Smith referred to a discrepancy in Mr Byer's account of the events that led to the removal of spin doctor Ms Moore and transport department (DTLR) director of communications Mr Sixsmith.

The problem is that Steve is very sore. The wounds are very fresh. He promised Jo that if she went, you would go too

Reported comment by Alastair Campbell

Mr Byers insisted there was "no linkage" between the departure of Mr Sixsmith and Ms Moore - who famously told colleagues that 11 September was a good day to bury bad news.

In his letter Mr Duncan Smith wrote: "You should know that The Independent newspaper has reported that the following statement was made to Martin Sixsmith by Alastair Campbell on 17 February: 'It [the compromise deal for Mr Sixsmith to move to another department] has run into a problem in the shape of Steve Byers.

"'The problem is that Steve is very sore. The wounds are very fresh. He promised Jo that if she went, you would go too.'

"The newspaper also reported that Sir Richard Mottram told Mr Sixsmith: 'He's invested so much face in this that his credibility is very much on the line. He's also made a firm promise to Jo that if she stepped down he would get your head to roll as well, so it would be very hard for him to announce that you hadn't completely resigned after all.'"

Keeping up pressure

Mr Duncan Smith then urged the prime minister to give a "simple answer" confirming whether Sir Richard, the permanent secretary at the DTLR, or Mr Campbell - Mr Blair's director of communications - had made the remarks quoted.

The Tory leader's letter will be taken as an attempt to maintain pressure on the prime minister over the events at the troubled DTLR.

Mr Byers announced the resignations of Ms Moore and Mr Sixsmith on 15 February following a row about an email which referred to burying bad news on the day of Princess Margaret's funeral.

Mr Duncan Smith is determined to maintain pressure on the government

Mr Sixsmith later denied that he had offered his resignation.

The case has poured fuel on the ongoing debate about the role of government advisers, such as Ms Moore, and their relationship with an impartial civil service.

On Thursday Ms Moore was accused of having an approach to her job that amounted to "an almost textbook case of bullying", Jonathan Baume, general secretary of the Association of First Division Civil Servants (FDA) has said.

Mr Baume - who represents Mr Sixsmith - told MPs: "My perception is that Jo Moore was forceful and aggressive to the point that she bullied and victimised civil servants both in the press and related policy areas.

'No grasp of impartiality'

"Her behaviour was described to me as an almost textbook case of bullying.

"She appeared... to have no grasp of the concept of the political impartiality of the Civil Service or if she did she ignored it.

"It was completely unacceptable."

Mr Duncan Smith attacked Mr Blair on Wednesday for "rolling out the red carpet" for Mr Byers just minutes after he expressed "regret" for giving an apparently misleading answer on his role in the affair.

But Mr Blair retorted that Mr Byers had made an "absolutely full statement" over the affair, which centres on whether Mr Sixsmith resigned as transport press chief.

On Thursday, Commons leader Robin Cook apologised to MPs for misleading the House over aspects of the Martin Sixsmith affair, saying he had spoken out on the basis of false information.