A world scoop by a local school led to a whirlwind of events and a plea for privacy from Downing Street after a photo of baby Leo Blair made it into the Northern Echo.

But now the dust has settled after a very busy weekend for editor Peter Barron, he is claiming it was Downing Street’s over-reaction that transformed the story into an international talking point.

Youngsters from St John’s Roman Catholic Comprehensive school in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, photographed Prime Minister’s wife Cherie Blair and her five-week-old baby on a local visit.

And what was a “lovely story” of Leo’s first public engagement ended up with a stinging rebuke from No10 for the teacher who took the picture, and even the involvement of publicist Max Clifford.

School head Brian Jones said: “It was an entirely innocent activity on the part of the pupils and we decided to send the photos to The Northern Echo for the school report page.

“We did not think for a moment it would cause any problems. I honestly believe that nobody could take offence that this was handled by the Northern Echo.

“They presented it as a bit of fun and we wish to make it clear that no-one was seeking to make any gain.”

But PCC guidelines state children should not be photographed without parental consent.

Editor Mr Barron told his story in Monday’s Echo, which we reproduce in full with his permission. To read it click here

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