Spear and loathing

In this exclusive extract from his latest volume of diaries, From Blair To Brown, spin doctor Alastair Campbell looks back at the Lions’ disastrous 2005 tour of New Zealand

Alastair Campbell wears a grim expression before the Lions’ first Test against New Zealand in Christchurch in June 2005 Picture: Getty Images
Lions captain Brian O’Driscoll is treated for his dislocated shoulder after being spear-tackled by two All Blacks in the opening moments of the first Test in Christchurch in June 2005

Volume six of the diaries of Alastair Campbell, entitled From Blair to Brown and covering the years of 2005-2007, gives the communications strategist’s ringside view of not just British politics but also the British & Irish Lions tour of, New Zealand 12 years ago. The ...