For many years there has been a close relationship between "Daily Record" journalists and Labour Party politicians in Scotland, and a revolving door between newspaper staff and Labour advisers. Helen Liddell went from being General Secretary of the Scottish Labour Party to being Robert Maxwell's Head of Corporate Affairs at the "Daily Record" (1988–1991). Tom Brown worked as one of the "Daily Record"'s highest-profile columnists (1982–2003) and served as its political editor, before advising his friend, First Minister Henry McLeish. Paul Sinclair was political editor of the "Daily Record" (2000–2005), before becoming a special advisor to Douglas Alexander, and then to Gordon Brown. He has been Johann Lamont's special adviser and official spokesperson since 2011. Labour peer, and former MP and MSP, Lord Watson of Invergowrie has reflected that 'the one paper no Labour MP or MSP can afford to ignore is the "Daily Record"'.