PM sends letters over smears

Updated on 13 April 2009

The prime minister writes to all those smeared by Downing Street expressing "great regret".

There is no apology from Gordon Brown over the No.10 email scandal; instead there is a personal letter to everyone slurred, including David Cameron, saying the whole business is "a matter of great regret".

So Brown has moved to limit the damage over the Downing Street emails, calling for tougher rules governing special advisers.

Top aide Damian McBride resigned over the messages, which discussed smear stories about leading Conservatives.

Tonight Mr Brown said he had written personally to everyone who had been slurred, including David Cameron.

In the last few minutes, a spokesman for Mr Cameron said it showed Mr Brown had "finally recognised the gravity of what's been happening".