Notorious former UK government spin doctor Alastair Campbell was pondering legal action against the BBC 20 years ago over its reporting of the controversies surrounding the Iraq War.

News stories have been emerging this week about the premiership of former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who Campbell advised, due to the release of archived documents under the UK’s 20-year rule.

In one letter, Campbell wrote to Blair stating: “If the BBC remain belligerent, I think the rhetoric has to be stepped up, up to and including the threat of putting the issue in the hands of lawyers.” The threat went no further, as events took over the situation.

Campbell, who now hosts the hit Rest is Politics podcast, had been setting out the ruling Labour Party’s PR operation to handle the Iraq War, which was being met with stiff opposition.

Campbell and Blair were furious with the BBC’s coverage...