I’d like to make an apology. Back in April, I claimed that David Miliband had spent £6,000 setting up a blog on the ODPM website. New facts - directly from the horse’s mouth, so-to-speak - have now come to light, and I’d like to apologise for the error.

In fact, the first year of Mr Miliband’s blogging efforts has cost the taxpayer £8,150.

That’s £6,000 initial set-up costs, £1,250 to change the ODPM JPEG to a Defra one, and then a further £900 annual running costs. On top of this, some poor dogsbody civil servant is paid an unspecified amount to spend an unspecified length of time

posting blogs and comments

Yes, it would appear that a civil servant is paid to comment on the blog. Which, in my mind at least, rather defeats the purpose.

Mr Miliband pays someone to write his blog, and then pays someone to leave comments that presumably toe the party line. A great service to democracy, and all for £8,150 plus wages.

Bargain.

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So when can I expect my cheque?

» This comment was received at 01:22 on 27 June 06

Just as soon as I’m getting £8,150 from the taxpayer to fund this place!

» This comment was received at 07:31 on 27 June 06

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