Tony Blair linked to pro-China lobbyists

LONDON: Former British prime minister Tony Blair has been dragged into a row over a mysterious pro-Beijing lobbying group that is accused of using Chinese propaganda to groom British elites.

Mr Blair (pictured) has denied claims that he is a fellow of the 48 Group Club, as new details emerged about the body’s links to business and political figures in the UK.

A spokeswoman for the former Labour leader said he was “not linked” to the group, which a new book claims is seeking to influence British politicians with Chinese propaganda and strengthen ties between London and Beijing.

The club, which includes Michael Heseltine, a former deputy prime minister, as a founding patron, took down its website after the book Hidden Hand, an expose of Chinese influence networks, was published in Australia.

According to its co-author

Clive Hamilton, an Australian academic, the group’s chairman, Stephen Perry, a British businessman, has begun legal action to stop the publication of the book in the UK and Canada.

The club said it had not done so, but that its legal advisers had written to the publishers “to correct and respond to the errors in the book”.

Johnny Patterson, director of human rights charity Hong Kong Watch, said: “It is alarming hearing the 48 Group has been sharing Chinese propaganda with some of Britain’s top politicians. There are serious questions to be asked.”

A cached version of the group’s website from December lists Mr Blair as a fellow and says he had given a speech to its youth wing. A spokesman for the group said Mr Blair received a “framed certificate”.

Tory MP Richard Graham is also listed as a fellow, but he said he was unaware of it.

In January Mr Perry, who was the only Briton awarded the China Reform and Friendship Medal in 2018, gave a speech supporting Huawei’s attempts to provide infrastructure for British 5G networks.

The Times