Tony Blair faced his first post-recess Commons question time yesterday with smear claims and special advisers dominating exchanges.

The prime minister defended the role of special advisers following concern over a MoD adviser who joined a PR company with extensive defence contracts.

Andrew Hood, a former special adviser to defence secretary, Geoff Hoon, joined the PR firm Brunswick within days of quitting Whitehall.

The Guardian's Simon Hoggart today wonders whether Blair's appearance in Eriksson-style specs was an attempt to avoid tough tackles over spin through association with the England team coach.

Robin Cook yesterday became the latest in a long line of ministers to call for the government to cut down on spinning.

He said he was a great admirer of the "blunt honesty" adopted by the late John Smith.

His comments came as Charles Clarke mounted a blistering attack on a "pious" media intent on pursuing false sleaze claims.

The Guardian today questions the future of Alastair Campbell as Number 10's director of communications.

It claims that instead he may take a "big job at Manchester United" or become MP for his home town of Burnley.

During PMQs Blair also distanced himself from Peter Mandelson - insisting that he was "delighted that we have moved this country away from Thatcherism".