Alastair Campbell: ‘Vilified’ Bertie Ahern took risks for peace in North

Alastair Campbell, the spin doctor for former British prime minister Tony Blair, has said he will always defend “vilified” former taoiseach Bertie Ahern because of the chances he took to establish peace in the North.

Mr Campbell said Mr Ahern deserves significant credit, along with Mr Blair, for creating the opportunity for peace in the North.

“I will always defend Bertie, and he is getting vilified now, but I will always defend Bertie because he took big risks,” Mr Campbell said of Mr Ahern, who resigned as taoiseach in May 2008.