You would imagine Damian McBride was virtually unemployable after Smeargate. But he has miraculously landed a job as a business liaison officer at his old school, Finchley Catholic High, in north London. Its motto is: “Grant that we may always be truly wise.”
He is even proudly listed as one of the school’s Famous Old Boys, where his name is sandwiched between screenwriter Troy Kennedy Martin, who scripted The Italian Job, and Father John McDonald, former Chaplain to the Catholic Stage School.
Here are some of my favourite quotes from his interview in today’s Guardian, the first one the former Downing Street spin doctor has given since resigning three months ago.
"I let them down appallingly. No 10 should have stuck the boot into me much harder.”
and
"Of course I’m sorry. I’m sorry for the damage I did to Gordon and the reputation of No 10. And I’m sorry for the offence I caused to various people by writing those emails about them. But I can’t say sorry for the emails being published because that had nothing to do with me, and I never wanted it to happen. As far as I was concerned, those emails went in the bin shortly after they were written … and that’s where they should have stayed."
and
“I knew I’d have to resign. It was the equivalent of coming home from a night at the pub and being told that the entire time you’ve been chatting with your mates someone’s been recording the conversation."
and
"I lost my dad three years ago. He was from a religious Scottish upbringing, very stern, and he would have hated reading those emails. I remember thinking: ‘Thank God my dad didn’t have to see this’, but the way Gordon reacted to me that day, it was as bad as telling my dad."
Saved by his old school, how lucky is that. I think the school is very misguided in its judgement, and should observe the ethos behind its motto.
Not a wise move…why was he given the job, and exactly what is his job?? I wouldn’t want him as a teacher at my childs school!!
Scum always rises to the top.
Anne, I agree, I wouldn’t want him to teach my sons either.
Ian, not always, and let’s see what the outcome of this is.
And what about Dave and his clique of Nottinghill ” modernisers ”
Their job is to fool Conservative voters into putting him into Downing Street before they realise what hes really about .
Truelly the heir to Blair.
Dont imagine Dave thinks he will need to go cap in hand for a job at Eton .
I remember thinking: ‘Thank God my dad didn’t have to see this’
A position at a Catholic school ? Doesn’t he believe in the hereafter ?
No, Ellee, Catholic schools only exclude people with really serious sins like being divorced or living with someone without being married to them.
Not a teaching job Ellee. Why so careless? Guido claimed McB was a TA a couple of weeks ago. But this seems to be an admin/marketing/sponsorship/placement job and to his credit McB was pretty humble about owing everything to the school, and being grateful to be given a second chance by them.
Who will give Andy Coulson a job when he gets his?
Chris, I don’t think his record makes him suitable to hold any position in a school. He will be working with school kids as a liasion officer and schools should provide the best role models.
Was the post advertised externally? Were other applicants interviewed too? Was he really the best person for the job?
I thought schools had to vet people these days?
I am happy to clarify that McBride is not in a teaching post if my headline appears misleading – though there is no reference to this in the post. But he does, nevertheless, have a role in the teaching industry/education.
People like this always come up seemingly smelling of roses. All these quango jobs in schools make me sick.