The young Conservative communications director was spinning out of control this week. So it's not too surprising that he was removed from his post yesterday for spinning just a little too hard and inappropriately. (He had suggested to a journalist that the father of a fallen soldier had criticized Stephen Harper's announcement that he wanted troops out of Afghanistan by 2011 was an Ignatieff supporter.)
Even before the election campaign, Mr. Sparrow - a senior Conservative spokesman - contacted reporters constantly with conspiracy theories about the opposition and provided little help with what was going on with his own party. But the intensity of his calls increased during the election campaign. Earlier on Thursday, he telephoned and e-mailed one reporter at least 16 times as he tried to point out discrepancies in a Liberal press release.
Some reporters felt his behaviour bordered on harassment. Others had simply stopped taking his calls or responding to his e-mails. So it is not surprising that he is no longer part of the campaign.
One reporter who reached him after his removal said he admitted he had made a “dumb mistake,” but said he would be back with the party after the election. Look out; change your phone numbers
