Author likens Treasury to 'mafia'

The book has prompted reports of Brown-Blair tensions

Tony Blair's former economics adviser has accused the Treasury of reacting like the Mafia to his upcoming book about life at the centre of government.

Derek Scott's book, Off Whitehall, is published in September and is said to include accounts of shouting matches between Mr Blair and Gordon Brown.

Speculation on its contents have prompted the Treasury to talk of an orchestrated campaign of lies.

But Mr Scott said he thought now the Treasury realised it had over-reacted.

'No lies'

The ex-adviser told BBC Radio 4's Today programme some of the Treasury's criticism had been rather absurd.

"Frankly, it's a bit more like the statement you might get from the mafia rather than the finance ministry but I think in hindsight a lot of people in Whitehall recognise there was an over-reaction and people have to wait for the book."

Reports of Mr Scott's alleged revelations prompted Mr Brown's spokesman to issue a rare statement.

He's got a responsibility to make his book accurate or I've got a responsibility to tell the truth about what actually happened Gordon Brown Chancellor

It said: "This deliberate peddling of lies and distortions about Europe, tax and public spending and the management of public finances is deliberately designed and orchestrated to put the Treasury in a bad light and will not be tolerated."

A Downing Street spokeswoman also said such books were only written to "make money" and "cause trouble".

Mr Scott said he was not good at dissembling and certainly did not peddle lies.

'Ups and downs'

He refused to reveal the contents of his book, which he said was about the politics and economics of Europe and the two men who would determine whether Britain joined the single currency.

"It is not a state secret that the relationship between Gordon Brown and Tony Blair has had it ups and downs," said Mr Scott.

His book is currently being examined by Cabinet Secretary Sir Andrew Turnbull to ensure it does not break confidentiality agreements.

"The problem is he is asking for wholesale chunks to be taken out of the book, which is not acceptable," said Mr Scott.

The chancellor told Today he had not taken part in the attempts to suppress parts of the book.

Mr Brown said Britain had a free press, adding: "It's up to people to say what they want to say.

"He's got a responsibility to make his book accurate or I've got a responsibility to tell the truth about what actually happened."