“Our quality, investigative journalism is a scrutinising force at a time when the rich and powerful are getting away with more and more”, says the Guardian in a fundraising plea to its readers.

So why has the paper recently appointed Amber de Botton, Rishi Sunak’s former director of communications, as its new chief communications officer?

Would Declassified employ a former propagandist for a Conservative prime minister as our director of communications? 

I can’t envisage it. Why not?

Because they couldn’t be trusted to share our values. We’re about challenging Whitehall’s power not speaking for it. Could someone so easily morph from one to the other, simply by changing jobs?

De Botton took up the post in June after serving Sunak for nearly a year from November 2022.

When she quit, the Guardian itself noted that de Botton was brought in by the Conservative prime minister “to salvage the government’s sinking reputation”. 

Doesn’t her appointment further highlight that the paper, far from being a challenger of the establishment, is really a voice for it, but somewhat disguised underneath occasional critical reporting and its ‘liberal’ facade?

As we at Declassified have repeatedly shown, the Guardian is not the paper many progressive liberal-minded people think it is. For one thing, its worldview routinely promotes the crucial establishment myths of benign British and American power.

Although many people might see the paper challenging Whitehall in a way that the Telegraph or Times might not, the Guardian rarely seeks to investigate or expose UK foreign policies and routinely ignores key aspects of the UK’s role in the world.

It may cover some issues relatively independently, but it also regularly acts as a platform for the British security state. For example, the Guardian frequently writes puff pieces on the UK’s largest intelligence agency. This is curious, isn’t it?

Cosy revolving door

The appointment of a senior official from Whitehall to a leading UK newspaper is another example of the cosy relationship that exists in Britain between those in power and the people who are meant to be holding them to account.

De Botton was previously Sky News’ Deputy Head of Politics and ITV’s Head of UK News and Head of Politics before deciding to work for the unelected prime minister’s Conservative government.

Her role now is to act as the Guardian Media Group’s “chief media spokesperson, advising senior leaders and developing a long-term approach to building the company’s position on key issues”.

When the Guardian appointed de Botton, its editor Katharine Viner said: “As we continue to build our position as one of the world’s leading media organisations, we look forward to welcoming Amber to the Guardian.”

The paper’s press release added a statement from de Botton saying: “I have long-admired The Guardian’s agenda-setting journalism. The group has a powerful role internationally in the future of news media. I am excited to have the opportunity to promote stories that change lives, laws and legacies.”

I wonder what she told Rishi Sunak on applying to become his chief spin doctor. Was she just as excited and had long admired the Tory party?

The Guardian was approached for comment.

---

---