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UK Chancellor Fights for Job After Data Loss

25M missing records spell trouble for already shaky Labour

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 21, 2007 2:28 PM CST
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(Newser) – A day after Alistair Darling was forced to admit that the tax department had lost the personal data of 25 million citizens, the British chancellor was fighting to keep his job in the face of a hostile and incredulous press. "Beyond farce, past comprehension, criminally irresponsible and beneath contempt" was the assessment of one Times columnist. Darling insisted on morning talk shows he would continue in his job, but the press is less certain.

The Telegraph assumes it's only a matter of time before Darling is gone, but a Guardian writer dissents: Gordon Brown will keep Darling because "losing a chancellor often signals the beginning of the end." Only Monday Darling was facing down criticism over his handling of the Northern Rock fiasco;  this latest disaster puts Brown's government on shakier ground than ever.

Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling, standing, with Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown, right, seated beside him gives a statement to the House of Commons, Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007, following the resignation of HM Revenue and Customs chairman Paul Gray. The head of Britain's tax and customs service resigned...
Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling, standing, with Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown, right, seated beside him gives a statement to the House of Commons, Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007,...   (Associated Press)
Alistair Darling, the UK Chancellor.
Alistair Darling, the UK Chancellor.   (Getty Images (by Event))
Alistair Darling, the British chancellor, has come in for serious criticism this week.
Alistair Darling, the British chancellor, has come in for serious criticism this week.   (Getty Images (by Event))
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Commentary from the British papers

The most boring man in politics is suddenly interesting
Telegraph (UK)

Darling is the victim, Brown the culprit
Independent (UK)

Strike two, but keep Darling in
Sun (UK)

 
United Kingdom • Gordon Brown • data theft • Alistair Darling

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