MID Beds MP Nadine Dorries has received damages and an apology from former Downing Street spin doctor Damien McBride over e-mail smears making unfounded allegations about her private life. Ms Dorries took legal action after discovering the existence of th

MID Beds MP Nadine Dorries has received damages and an apology from former Downing Street spin doctor Damien McBride over e-mail smears making unfounded allegations about her private life.

Ms Dorries took legal action after discovering the existence of the message was made public earlier this year.

Mr McBride eventually resigned over the smears debacle that rocked Downing Street.

Ms Dorries is understood to be still considering further action against No.10 and Labour activist Derek Draper, who received the e-mails from Mr McBride.

Speaking to the BBC today Ms Dorries refused to reveal the amount of damages she received but said: "The amount really isn't the issue. What's the issue is that he admitted that he was wrong and that he supported that with a payment.

"It was important for me that he admitted guilt. I have lived with the worry that people would think there was no smoke without fire. It was vitally important to clear my name.

"What he paid really was not the issue. It is important people know what a cesspit No.10 has turned into.