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Brown, Gordon (British prime minister)

Tories and Lib Dems Demand Inquiry into Blair and Brown's Lying Allegations

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The opposition Tory and Lib Dem leaders have turned up the heat on Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, demanding an inquiry into allegations that they lied about a $1 million gift from Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone. The row was sparked by a new book, "Servants of the People" by Andrew Rawnsley, which claims that Mr. Blair and Mr. Brown told deliberate lies when under pressure over the huge gift and whether it influenced the Government's decision to exempt Formula One from the tobacco advertising ban. Mr. Hague and Mr. Bruce want Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Lord Neil to investigate the claims.

Key Takeaways:

  • The opposition leaders, William Hague and Malcolm Bruce, have demanded an inquiry into allegations of lying by Tony Blair and Gordon Brown over a $1 million gift from Bernie Ecclestone.
  • The claims are based on a new book, "Servants of the People" by Andrew Rawnsley, which states that Mr. Blair and Mr. Brown lied on at least two occasions.
  • Mr. Hague stated that the allegations are "the most serious that one could level against a Prime Minister and his Chancellor".
  • Mr. Bruce, a member of the Commons Standards and Privileges Committee, believes that the public would be surprised if an inquiry is not ordered.
  • The Treasury and Downing Street have moved to try and kill the story, but Mr. Hague claims that they have not denied the central points in Mr. Rawnsley's book.
  • The book claims that Mr. Blair and Mr. Brown lied when asked about their knowledge of the gift and whether it influenced the Government's decision to exempt Formula One from the tobacco advertising ban.

Statistics:

  • $1 million: the amount of the gift from Bernie Ecclestone to the Labour Party.
  • 2: the number of occasions on which Mr. Blair is alleged to have lied, according to the book.
  • 1: the occasion on which Mr. Brown is alleged to have lied, according to the book.
  • 6 months: the time period in which Mr. Blair is supposed to have believed he would be hounded out of office.
  • 1: the number of times Mr. Blair is quoted as saying "This is the end. They'll get me for this."

Sources:

  • "Servants of the People" by Andrew Rawnsley. No publication date mentioned.
  • BBC Radio 4's Today programme. No publication date mentioned.
  • John Humphries TV interview. No publication date mentioned.
  • Conservative Party statement. No publication date mentioned.
  • Labour Party statement. No publication date mentioned.
  • Charlie Whelan, Mr. Brown's former press secretary. No publication date mentioned.

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