‘No investigation’ into Blair F1 controversy
There will be no investigation into Tony Blair’s decision to exempt Formula One racing from a tobacco advertising ban, speaker Michael Martin has confirmed.
Expectations had been raised after Mr Martin said reports of Mr Blair’s actions were “deeply concerning”.
Some observers expected Mr Blair to be summoned to the bar of the House to explain himself.
But Mr Martin has limited his criticism to saying Mr Blair “could have been clearer” in his answers to parliament over the affair.
He ruled out any probe into Mr Blair’s behaviour.
Tory John Maples, who originally raised the issue with Mr Martin, said: “It is clear from the internal notes that a decision was made to do this, but not exactly how to do this.
“It was always rather doubtful that the speaker was going to take on a former prime minister.
“There’s just that scintilla of ambiguity in here that gives the government a get-out clause.”
Documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act show Mr Blair urged health ministers to exempt Formula One from a ban on advertising soon after his meeting with Mr Ecclestone in 1997.
Briefing notes prepared by staff working for then public health minister Tessa Jowell and chief of staff Jonathan Powell indicate that action had been taken to insure an exemption hours after the meeting and that an official letter had been sent from the prime minister to Ms Jowell the next day.
The day after meeting, Ms Jowell was sent a note saying: “The prime minister would like your ministers to look for ways of finding a permanent derogation for sport in particular, F1.”
Ms Jowell replied setting out alternatives to the exemption but was sent another letter five days later saying: “His view (the prime minister’s) view remains that we should seek to negotiate a permanent exemption for Formula One, backed up by a voluntary agreement with the FIA,” according to the Sunday Telegraph.
A letter was then sent by Ms Jowell to the European Union seeking a total exemption for Formula One.
