The Observer newspaper yesterday reported that sources in the Lions camp emphasise that Campbell will be appointed in an advisory capacity and not as a replacement for the Lions' press liaison officer, Louisa Cheetham.
Team, boss Sir Clive Woodward recently approached Campbell in an attempt to help the tour to run smoothly, which was not the case when the Lions, then coached by Graham Henry, went to Australia in 2001. That tour was marred by poor relations between the media and the Lions players and management.
Campbell, became so powerful under Tony Blair that he was dubbed 'the real Deputy Prime Minister', is not expected to stay for all five weeks of the tour, which includes three Tests and eight matches against provincial teams.
Alastair Campbell, the former UK government chief spin doctor has been appointed media relations advisor the British Lions rugby team to tour New Zealand next year.
