Tory spin-doctor stands down

New Labour, new spin doctor - for the Tories. Charles Lewington, Smith Square's answer to Alastair Campbell, is one of the first casualties of the electoral meltdown of the party he was meant to help spin into power.

Mr Lewington, 38, the director of communications for the Conservatives, is in Spain today after handing in his resignation to party chairman Brian Mawhinney.

The former political editor of the Sunday Express joined Smith Square 18 months ago. Cheroot smoking Mr Lewington, known by various sobriquets of " Lord Snooty" and the " Westminster Lounge Lizard", is now considering a number of offers in the media, but said he would not be making a decision for a few weeks.

Mr Lewington had argued for the sacking of Neil Hamilton and was surprised that John Major refused to call the Tatton association to remove him as its candidate.