6 godzin temu
Prime Minister Tony Blair was advised to repay thousands of pounds in discounts he received on designer clothes, according to newly-released official files. The recommendation came after concerns about public perception over the substantial savings secured through his wife's controversial style adviser.
Papers released to the National Archives show that Downing Street officials recommended Blair should pay back more than £7,600 on items bought from Nicole Farhi and Paul Smith. The discounts were negotiated by Cherie Blair's friend and style adviser, Carole Caplin, who bought clothes for the Prime Minister's wife.
Officials concerned about public perception
Caplin told officials that because she bought the clothes wholesale, she was able to secure discounts of up to 60 per cent - including on items bought for Blair himself. However, officials were concerned that such large discounts would not be available to ordinary members of the public.
According to the files, between July 2001 and December 2002 the couple spent £8,021.50 with one designer alone - Nicole Farhi - when the retail price would have been £20,855. The total discount they received came to £12,833.50, more than the total amount they actually spent.
Initial advice for full repayment
Initially, officials advised that Blair should repay the discounts he received in full - around £10,000 - and that his wife should pay back half the benefits she obtained - £28,000. Clare Sumner, a Downing Street official, wrote: "We are not arguing that anything has been done wrong, indeed nothing has. The issue is one of public perception."
However, after discussions with cabinet secretary Sir Andrew Turnbull, it was agreed that Cherie Blair did not receive any "preferential or beneficial treatment" in her role as Prime Minister's wife. Officials agreed that suppliers would in future have to sign confidentiality agreements to ensure there was no incentive for them to provide goods cheaply to exploit the fact that the Prime Minister's wife wore their clothes.
Blair still advised to pay full amount
For Blair himself, however, officials said they believed he still should pay the full amount, advising him to write cheques for £1,116 to Paul Smith and £6,532 to Nicole Farhi. Sumner wrote: "For you, we still think the simplest thing is to pay for your clothes in full and that Carole should be made aware of this for the future."
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
