Blair denies Covid claim
TONY Blair has denied breaching Covid- 19 quarantine rules after a two- day trip to the United States.
The former prime minister was accused of failing to self- isolate for two weeks following the trip to Washington DC.
Mr Blair, 67, had flown back on September 16 and was then pictured leaving Harry’s Bar in Mayfair, central London, on September 26.
He had asked Whitehall officials for exemption from the rules.
But a newspaper has alleged he had not been issued with a formal letter that would have permitted him to avoid quarantine.
A spokeswoman for the ex- Labour leader said he had been told to
follow the guidance on international conferences, having been invited by US officials to a White House signing ceremony for the Israel- UAE peace deal.
“He 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.
“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.”