TONY BLAIR has asked one of Alastair Campbell’s former protégés to become his Downing Street communications chief.

Tim Allan, a former Labour press aide and close friend of Campbell, has been offered the role in Blair’s post-election shake-up.

The approach — which Allan is said to be considering this weekend — raises questions about the future of David Hill, the current holder of the job.

Allan left Downing Street in 1998 but is close to the prime minister, having worked with him in opposition from 1992 onwards. Blair even recorded a taped message that was played at Allan’s wedding.

The position of No 10 communications chief was held by Campbell until he resigned in September 2003 in the wake of the David Kelly affair. He was replaced by Hill, a veteran party official who has been sidelined in recent months after Campbell returned to run Labour’s election campaign.

Allan, who owns and runs Portland PR, is thought to be in two minds about whether to accept the post. His only comment yesterday was: “All my focus remains on my company and clients at the moment.”

He worked closely with Campbell and was known as the “sorcerer’s apprentice” during his time at No 10 and Millbank. However, he does not have the brutal edge that Campbell brought to the job and is unlikely to make bitter enemies in the same way.

Allan initially left Downing Street to work for BSkyB, the satellite broadcaster, before setting up Portland. His company has connections on both sides of the political divide.

Rachel Whetstone, an aide to Michael Howard, worked for the company before Howard became the Conservative leader. She is thought to be returning to Portland now Howard has announced that he will stand down.

If Allan decides to take up Blair’s offer, it may give some indication as to how long the prime minister intends to stay. A new press secretary is likely to seek assurances that he will have the job for at least a few years.

Meanwhile, the Labour party is braced for criticism over dirty tricks during the election. A Channel 4 Dispatches programme will tell of an undercover reporter’s experiences inside Labour HQ during the election.

Jenny Kleeman will reveal how fake letters were sent to local newspapers to show support for Labour’s achievements. She will also describe how Alan Milburn, the campaign co-ordinator, and Campbell used to “high five” in the middle of the office.

“I witnessed extraordinary examples of the kind of foul-mouthed bullying and everyday mendacity that are the common currency of Labour’s male-dominated media organisation,” she said.

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