THE SUNDAY EXPRESS: TONY Blair was last night facing calls to contribute to the cost of his security.
The demands came as anger mounted over his lucrative career worth millions in the private sector.
As a former Prime Minister, Mr Blair is entitled to round-the-clock security at taxpayers’ expense for the rest of his life.
The controversy over the Iraq war means he is judged to be a particularly high-profile target. Experts estimate his security bill costs the taxpayer “at least” £500,000 a year, and possibly more than £1million.
The size of the bill is boosted by Mr Blair’s frequent foreign travel.
Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the Taxpayers’ Alliance, said Mr Blair’s earnings put him in a different league from previous Prime Ministers, who have mostly led low-key lives after leaving office.
Mr Elliott said the scale of Mr Blair’s likely wealth meant it was right to ask whether he should make a contribution to the cost of his security, particularly if the bill was boosted by globe-trotting on commercial activities.
He said: “It’s right that former Prime Ministers who enter retirement on a modest pension should continue to receive free security but Tony Blair is in a different league.
“With a multi-million pound annual income and employment by two international institutions, he should consider covering his personal security bill himself or splitting the bill between his two new employers. Government spending and tax is high enough without covering all and sundry.” War Declared on Blair >>> By Jason Groves
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