Blair's bodyguards cost taxpayers £250k for five-star lifestyle

FOREIGN Secretary William Hague has called for the security given to former prime ministers to be as "cost effective as possible" after details emerged of the sums involved in protecting Tony Blair.

Reports yesterday claimed the former Labour prime minister's team of bodyguards cost the taxpayer more than 250,000 per year on expenses alone.

An investigation by a Sunday newspaper revealed details on the cost of providing round-the-clock protection for Mr Blair as he took holidays and international business trips.

The paper reveals claims of more than 1,200-a-night for accommodation in plush hotels, limousine hire and thousands of pounds in cash for overseas trips. The investigation lists a series of holidays including a two-week break Mr Blair took in Borneo, where officers ran up a bill of more than 20,000.

Mr Blair now works as UN Middle East envoy. Wherever he travels he is protected by bodyguards provided by the Metropolitan Police.

Mr Hague said: "Clearly former prime ministers, whoever they are, whichever party they are from, do need to be protected.

"But we have to make sure that is as cost effective as possible, that it doesn't cost any more to the taxpayer than is absolutely necessary. I am sure that the departments that deal with that will make sure that it is subject to the right level of scrutiny."

The former director of public prosecutions Sir Ken Macdonald, who is to be made a Liberal Democrat peer, said "something had gone awry" if Mr Blair's protection officers were staying in five-star hotels.

He said: "There is an idea that when you stop being prime minister you should - rather as President Jimmy Carter did - devote yourself to good works and not acquire great wealth.

"Tony Blair has gone down the other road and I think there is a feeling that it is a little undignified.

"There is certainly a feeling that something has gone awry when all of these unfortunate protection officers have to stay in five-star hotels and get paid while they're sleeping.

"There is obviously a good reason why former prime ministers are protected, and Tony Blair is probably under threat as much as any.

"But I think it does slightly stick in the craw that so much money is being spent on so much luxury.

"I am sure that many, many taxpayers are going to resent this."

A Met Police statement read: "Like all public services the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has got to prove that it delivers value for money."We are committed to achieving this and with anticipated budget cuts we are even more focused on how we can best do this.

"Overtime is called upon when it is essential to maintain operational effectiveness."

A spokesman for Mr Blair said that the former premier had "a very high regard" for the professionalism of his protection team.

"They do a fantastic job, often in very difficult circumstances particularly in the Middle East," the spokesman said.

He rejected Sir Ken's criticism of Mr Blair's activities since leaving office.

"The vast majority of Tony Blair's time is spent on his unpaid activities, such as his charitable projects in Africa, as Quartet representative in the Middle East and with the work of his faith foundation and sports foundation," he said.