The DialyMail has two malodorous stories, each reeking of influence peddling. The first concerns Tony Blair and his march to riches post public service.
We are told he has made £15million since he stepped down as Prime Minister in 2007, although this might be a conservative estimate. Certainly, he is the first modern-day premier to become seriously rich after leaving office. At this rate, he could become a billionaire.
What is the source of his wealth? As a former PM, his knowledge and contacts are useful to big business. He has direct access to foreign leaders and can lobby them on behalf of private companies. He is paid £2million a year by the American bankers JP Morgan for part-time lobbying.
The second story concerns the freed Lockerbie bomber and his dire health status.
The row over the release of the Lockerbie bomber was reignited last night after it emerged he has been released from hospital.
Abdelbaset Al Megrahi was freed from a Scottish jail on compassionate grounds in August after a medical assessment concluded he had only three months to live because of his prostate cancer.
Officials at East Renfrewshire Council, which is monitoring what happens to Megrahi as part of his licence conditions, declined to comment on his current medical state.
Hold your nose as you ask: What can Blair do for you?
Update: Blair's income is up to £20million, partly from accepting money from convicted bribers for access to oil contracts.
Update 2: Tony Blair visited Libya repeatedly as a guest of Colonel Gaddafi.
No comments:
Post a Comment