Damian McBride A former HM Revenue & Customs official who impressed the then chancellor during the fuel protests by urging him to show strength and cede no ground. Mr McBride later left the civil service to become Mr Brown’s chief spin-doctor.

Often seen pacing the corridors of Downing Street with mobile pressed to ear, he is now the main conduit for the prime minister’s political message. Those who work with him say he has an unusual knack for spotting news trends and placing stories, particularly for someone with no background in journalism.