SIR Christopher Meyer’s position as the head of the Press Complaints Commission was called into question last night as he faced a torrent of attacks over his book on the build-up to the Iraq war.

Lord Butler of Brockwell, the former Cabinet secretary, and Jonathan Baume, a Civil Service union leader, were among those condemning the former Washington Ambassador for his revelations and reflections about his dealings with ministers in his book DC Confidential. The most vehement assault came from Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, who condemned the memoirs as an unacceptable breach of trust and wondered whether Sir Christopher could stay on as chairman of the Press Complaints Commission, a job to which he was reappointed last week.

Mr Straw suggested a potential conflict of interest, asking how people could complain about the serialisation of the book in two newspapers when Sir Christopher was himself heading the commission.

The Labour MP Alan Keen, a member of the Commons culture committee, said that Sir Christopher should consider his position. The public would not have confidence in the commission if they knew that its chairman had himself released “tittle tattle”, he said.

Contrary to previous suggestions, the book did go to the Foreign Office, as well as the Cabinet Office, for vetting before publication. Sir Michael Jay, the head of the Diplomatic Service, wrote to all embassies, urging them to ensure that similar books were not prepared in or out of government.

A spokesman for the Press Complaints Commission said that the board was fully aware that Sir Christopher was about to publish the book before they appointed him for a second three-year term. Sir Christopher did not comment but is due to be questioned on the issue next month by the Public Administration Committee.

Mr Baume, the general secretary of the First Division Association, said: “Sir Christopher Meyer is utterly wrong to have published his book.”

Lord Butler said that memoirs such as Sir Christopher’s inhibited frank conversation between ministers and officials. “Chris Meyer is a friend of mine and I’ve got a very high regard for him, but I must say I think the writing of these books and certainly the publication of them isn’t a good idea,” he told Radio 4’s The Week in Westminster in an interview to be broadcast today.

Robert Thomson, the Editor of The Times, said: “The idea that Sir Christopher should resign as head of the PCC is preposterous. Whatever the lack of diplomatic nicety in the book, it clearly shows that he is not a cowering, forelock-tugging, scheming sycophant. The head of the PCC must be of independent mind and Sir Christopher is certainly that.”

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