Amanda Jane Platell (born 12 November 1957 in Perth, Western Australia) is a media personality and former press secretary of William Hague, leader of the Conservative Party from 1997 to 2001.
Platell has worked at the Daily Mirror and edited the Sunday Express. She was sacked from this post following the publication of details of Peter Mandelson's relationship with a Brazilian man. She took the role of "spin doctor" to Hague in 1999. Michael Portillo returned to parliament in 1999 and was subsequently admitted into the shadow cabinet as shadow Chancellor in 2000. Portillo immediately stamped his authority on the post, reversing in an instant several years of Conservative opposition to the minimum wage and independence of the Bank of England. This move was the first step towards increasing acrimony between Hague and his shadow Chancellor and by the time of the 2001 general election Platell was fighting a bitter battle with Portillo's supporters.
Following the Labour party's second landslide victory in 2001 both Hague and Platell resigned from their posts. In July 2001 "Unspun - Amanda Platell's Secret Diary" was broadcast which was recorded each night during the election campaign.
Platell has continued her media career, appearing both as a commentator and presenter on the short-lived Sky News programme Littlejohn, and co-hosting a series on Channel 4 with Piers Morgan.
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Last updated: 08-27-2005 17:38:49
