Blair 'ignored pensioners' to meet Big Brother winner Shilpa

Published on Thursday 8 February 2007 14:08

PRIME Minister Tony Blair was today accused of ignoring pensioners lobbying outside parliament in favour of meeting Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty.

Tory Roger Gale also protested that rules governing access to the Commons and use of its facilities had apparently been "flouted" during the Celebrity Big Brother winner's visit yesterday. Shilpa's brief meeting with Mr Blair formed part of a whirlwind trip to parliament marked by chaotic scenes as dozens of photographers and cameramen clamoured to get close to her.

She was invited by Labour former minister Keith Vaz, who tabled a motion complaining about the Channel 4 show that was signed by nearly 90 MPs.

He accompanied her during most of the tour, which included a visit to Prime Minister's questions, a brief meeting with Mr Blair and lunch with MPs.

Meanwhile, scores of pensioners descended on parliament to protest against the Government's refusal to compensate victims of collapsed pension schemes.

Mr Gale has now tabled a written question challenging Mr Blair to clarify the nature of his discussions with Shilpa.

Speaking outside the Commons, he said: "As the Prime Minister and other very senior ministers did not see fit to meet with pensioners lobbying in Parliament Square yesterday but nevertheless found time to give a personal audience to a Bollywood starlet it seems reasonable to suppose that they had something very important to discuss.

"That being so, I think that we, and the pensioners, have a right to know what that something was."