Boris Johnson's aides launch anonymous attack on Tony Blair

British officials seek to control consulting activities of former prime minister

Former British prime minister Tony Blair arrives at the signing of the Abraham Accords at the White House in Washington, DC, on September 15, 2020. AFP

Behind the scenes briefing against Tony Blair, the former British prime minister, has suggested the former UN Middle East envoy should report his meetings to the government.

The attack came after a farcical mix-up saw Italian airport workers leak news that Boris Johnson had travelled through Puglia on a secret trip on the day his son was baptised.

It later turned out that Mr Blair had been at the airport that day and the Italians got their prime ministers mixed up.

The reports turned the spotlight on the wide-ranging roles Mr Blair has taken on since leaving office in 2007. In particular, British policy towards the Middle East has remained static while Mr Blair has continued to engage with fresh ideas and initiatives that make some in the diplomatic service uncomfortable.

An official told the Politico news website, that Mr Blair's “unofficial diplomacy” has drawn "increasing concern" in some parts of Whitehall. The report said Mr Blair has "sought no agreement with the UK government over his foreign meetings, and that he has questions to answer about their purpose".

It pointed out there is a cost to the exchequer from the travel expenses of protection officers who accompany the former prime minister. The source said Mr Blair was believed to have met a foreign government official during his time in Italy.

A representative for Mr Blair rebutted the complaints, saying: “Mr Blair has police protection whatever he does or wherever he goes as do all other former prime ministers.

“He doesn’t need the UK government’s permission to do what he does unless he is purporting to act on their behalf. Which he never does.”

Mr Blair runs the think tank Institute for Global Change. It has taken a high-profile stance on large-scale testing and innovation with digital initiatives to address the Covid-19 pandemic.

With the government under pressure over its handling of the crisis, Mr Blair’s comments and the institute's reports have provided an alternative vision for containing the pandemic.