'I didn't think I was cool enough': Alastair Campbell joins GQ as chief interviewer

TONY Blair’s controversial spin doctor Alastair Campbell is vowing to bring a "lefty influence" to men's magazine GQ after taking over as chief interviewer.

Alastair Campbell did not think he was cool enough to work for GQ Alastair Campbell did not think he was 'cool' enough to work for GQ [PA]

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The ex-journalist has been commissioned to undertake heavy-hitting interviews covering the worlds of politics, sport, business and media for the magazine.

Mr Campbell, 56, an avid Burnley football fan, said he did not think he was "well dressed enough, or cool enough" to be asked to work for GQ.

He said: "But I like the fact that GQ has a tradition of giving a lot of space to big interviews, and to letting the interviewee get their voice heard, so after making a few stipulations - like never describing me, verbally or in print, as Piers Morgan's successor - I said yes.

"When I was a full-time journalist, I always enjoyed big interviews and I am pleased GQ want me not just to do politics, but figures from sport, business, culture, other aspects of life that I find interesting.

"I also hope I can bring a bit of lefty influence to the magazine. There is something not quite right about having an editor who slopes off to write sympathetic books about David Cameron, and makes Benedict Cumberbatch the GQ man of the year. GQ should be the magazine for state schools, not Eton and Harrow. More anon.”

 Alastair Campbell will take over from Piers Morgan [AP]

GQ editor Dylan Jones said: “I’m thrilled that Alastair is joining us.  A brilliant, opinionated and compelling writer who has the ability to get straight to the heart of what matters, we’re delighted readers of the magazine will be able to enjoy his insightful and entertaining prose."

Mr Campbell is seen as a controversial figure, and was at the centre of allegations surrounding the “dodgy dossier” in the run up to the 2003 Iraq War which claimed Saddam Hussain could launch weapons of mass destruction within 45 minutes.

Mr Campbell, who is also a passionate campaigner on mental health issues and who is still being tipped for a return to frontline politics as an MP, has always denied any wrongdoing over the affair and was cleared by the Hutton Inquiry of sexing up the dossier.

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