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A Downing Street spokesman today said: “Neither the Prime Minister nor anybody else in Downing Street, except the author, knew anything about any of these private emails.

The author of these emails has apologised for their juvenile and inappropriate nature and for embarrassment caused.

“All staff will be reminded of the appropriate use of Number 10 resources.”

After being sent to Mr Draper the emails fell into the possession of Paul Staines, a right-wing political blogger who writes under the pseudonym of Guido Fawkes.

Mr Staines has been credited with the downfall of Peter Hain MP after releasing details of his campaign to become Deputy Leader of the Labour Party. He was also the first to publish details of John Prescott’s affair with his secretary.

Mr Draper today admitted the emails had been “a bit juvenile and inappropriate and some were in bad taste” but that he had been attempting to break the right wing stranglehold on political blogging.

He said: “I’ve wondered for ages why the right wing have a near monopoly on websites that feature tittle tattle and teasing of their political opponents.

“But I felt strongly that such gossip wasn’t suitable for LabourList and kicked around the idea of setting up another blog, Red Rag, where such stories might be published.

“I mentioned this idea to a few friends asking if they knew of any good gossip that was doing the rounds.

Some of them said they weren’t interested, but one of them, who works in Downing Street, responded by sending back some details of stories that were being gossiped about in Westminster.

“In truth these were a bit juvenile and inappropriate and some were in bad taste though I have to admit some were also brilliant and rather funny.

“As anyone involved in politics knows, though, people come up with lots of daft plans that don’t make it off the drawing board.”

Shadow home secretary, Chris Grayling, said top aides sending emails of this nature was a “ludicrous” waste of time as the country faced a huge economic crisis.

He said: “To think that they are sitting Downing Street putting together ludicrous stories about Conservative MPs that they can put round as tittle-tattle just beggars belief.

“Shouldn’t Downing Street officials be concentrating on the challenges we face as a nation?”

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