Home Office leak reveals propaganda plans

A leaked document has revealed government plans for a media blitz to counter immigration "myths".

 

A Home Office civil servant is thought to have blown the whistle on the idea of a concerted publicity campaign to turn around public opinion.

 

Labour has suffered from a series of damaging immigration stories in recent months which culminated in the resignation of minister Beverley Hughes.

 

The document outlines a range of initiatives designed to win back trust in the government, including advertising, speeches and articles, which the Tories have slammed as excessive politicisation of the civil service.

 

Shadow home secretary David Davis said on Sunday that ministers should concentrate on dealing with policies rather than publicity.

 

"The government has got to recognise that there is a real problem," he said.

 

"The public expects real action not more spin and media manipulation.

 

"The civil servant who leaked the document did so because he was horrified at the politicisation of the civil service by this approach of trying to manage public expectations and perceptions rather than solve the real problem."