Not to be outdone by Newsnight or the News of the World, I can
reveal that Shandwick public affairs is out of the closet. The agency
has admitted that it employs former political advisers to both Ron
Davies, the disgraced former Welsh Secretary, and his successor Alun
Michael.
Andy Corrigan, who joined Shandwick last January from GJW, worked as
Davies’ top political adviser for more than three years after the 1992
election. Meanwhile, Ian Moss quit the office of then Home Office
minister Michael, where he was also the senior adviser, earlier this
year, before the MP was elevated to the cabinet as a result of his
fellow Taff’s misfortunes on Clapham Common.
But I am told there is no animosity between Corrigan and Moss. Rather,
always quick to spot an opportunity, Shandwick has decided to draft Moss
on to the team which handles Welsh utility Hyder and which is led by
Corrigan.
Shandwick public affairs director Chris Savage assures me: ’Andy will
stay on the account. But Ian will contribute by maintaining the
continuity of ministerial experience.’
