Blair denies breaking quarantine rules after visit to US

TONY BLAIR has denied claims that he breached coronavirus quarantine restrictions by failing to self- isolate for 14 days upon returning to the UK from a trip to the US.

The former Prime Minister was pictured leaving a restaurant in London some 10 days after returning from a two- day trip to Washington last month, it was reported.

Mr Blair had asked Whitehall officials to grant him an exemption from the rules, but was not issued with the formal letter which would have allowed him to avoid the two- week quarantine, according to the newspaper report.

But a spokeswoman for the former prime minister said he had been told to follow guidance on “international conferences”, having been invited by US officials to attend a White House event held over the Israel- UAE peace deal.

“He ( Mr Blair) was not refused exemption by the UK Government,” the spokeswoman said.

“He was told to follow the guidance on international conferences which he did; the US Government had cleared the visit because it was for the diplomatic conference at the White House.

“We believe he followed all UK and US government guidelines as advised.

“Mr Blair was tested for Covid before departing the UK, on arrival at the White House, when he returned to the UK and has been tested several times since.”

The spokeswoman said all of Mr Blairt’s Covid- 19 tests had been negative.

Official guidance says that diplomats and representatives have “privileges and immunities”, which mean that they do not need to self- isolate if their work is essential.

Mr Blair flew back from the US on September 16, and was at Harry’s Bar in Mayfair on September 26.