Plug pulled on Allegra’s ‘West Wing’ briefings

Today was supposed to be the day on which political history would be made — with the debut of the government’s first ‘West Wing-style’ Press secretary.

the appointment of allegra Stratton, an experienced print and broadcast journalist, as the face and voice of no 10 who would front weeknight TV briefings to alive audience of political reporters, made headlines when it was announced last year.

a special studio had been built and dummy runs conducted with no 10 staffers posing as the Press corps. For maximum impact, her first appearance was timed so that it would lead the early evening TV news bulletins.

Inspired by daily White House Press conferences, the innovation was seen as a way for the Prime Minister and his Cabinet to present their message directly to the public as well as the Press.

But over the past week, downing Street took fright and has now postponed the l aunch until at least t he e nd of t he national lockdown.

It was felt that, at a time of crisis, it should be the PM and senior ministers, alongside government doctors and scientists, who address the public and take questions from journalists via video links.

this is, no doubt, a huge frustrati on f or the ambitious and influential Stratton, 40, who, until she was poached by Boris Johnson, was Chancellor rishi Sunak’s highly effective chief communications strategist.

‘there was a view that it would seem we were trying to glamorise or put a showbiz spin on a very serious story, which is Covid,’ one senior government source said last night.

another insider suggested an ulterior motive: ‘It is likely that allegra would be very good; she would become a household name and face very quickly, and that might put certain ministers’ noses out of joint.’