Martin Kettle has often defended New Labour and Tony Blair ( a personal friend ) -- though not over the Iraq War .
He was formerly a leader writer ( 1993 -- 1997 ) and chief leader writer 2001 onwards .
leader writer   has often defended New Labour and Tony Blair ( a personal friend ) -- though not over the Iraq War .
He was formerly a leader writer ( 1993 -- 1997 ) and chief leader writer 2001 onwards .