IT has been a long time coming, but Peter Luff has finally evened the score with Labour MPs on the thorny issue of special advisers.

Some 16 years ago, they mentioned his name in less than flattering terms on the floor of the Commons.

He had not committed a political crime and was not even an MP.

But Mr Luff had just been appointed as a special advisor at the Department of Trade and Industry.

The Labour party was a different, "spin-free" beast in those days and the MPs were not happy about him taking up such a role primarily because he came from a public relations background.

Surely this had to be a bad thing, they said. No one from a PR background should be involved in Government business.

Sixteen years on, things have changed and PR people now play a key role in managing the news on behalf of the Labour Government even though, officially, they are also special advisers.

Mr Luff is not normally one to spit teeth over this issue.

But one special adviser last week infamously over-stepped the mark. And Mr Luff decided it was time to re-set the scoreboard with a public attack on someone who genuinely deserved it Jo Moore.

Ms Moore is the charming woman who suggested September 11 was a "very good dayto bury bad news.

And Mr Luff, who was drawn out of the hat to ask the second question at the first Prime Minister's Questions slot since the recess, seized his chance.

He asked Tony Blair: Did the Prime Minister see the comments of the Anglican vicar who lost a relative on September 11?

He told the BBC Jo Moore's infamous e-mail was 'basically burying bad news under the bodies of 6,500 people.'

"Indeed, she did not even include the relatives of those who died in her belated list of apologies. Did anyone in Downing Street speak to Jo Moore after her e-mail or seek her resignation at any time?

Tories cheered, while Labour MPs jeered. Mr Blair said he was not willing to sack her and said the "matter was closed.

But he did stick the boot in: I do not defend in any shape or form what Jo Moore said, which was horrible, wrong and stupid.

Afterwards, Mr Luff was satisfied: In a way was getting my own back, but do feel strongly about what Jo Moore did.