Defiant Blair says: I'm staying put and police inquiry will clear me of any corruption

Key quote "It is absurd to say that if someone supports a political party financially... that they should be debarred from being party supporters for those places reserved specifically for party supporters."

- TONY BLAIR

[A pity that's not what the law says Tony! JOE]

A DEFIANT Tony Blair yesterday predicted that he will be cleared by a police investigation into Labour's finances and signalled he wants to stay on as Prime Minister for at least another year.
Mr Blair's robust defence of the £14 million the Labour Party raised in secret loans last year follows the arrest last week of his chief fundraiser, Lord Levy. Downing Street nominated four of the lenders for seats in the House of Lords.

Scotland Yard detectives have signalled they plan to interview the Prime Minister and some Labour MPs believe the funding scandal could force him from office within months. Roy Hattersley, the former Labour deputy leader, yesterday said Mr Blair should quit by October over the affair.

[Good riddance! This is a man who has achieved nothing in Government and has sold his soul to the political right. His partner in crime Gordon Broon is just as bad. Time to escape this gang of incompetent sleazy unprincipled thieves by voting for independence. JOE]