Tony and Cherie Blair were advised by senior officials to repay thousands of pounds in discounts on designer clothing to avoid public scrutiny, newly released documents reveal. The discounts, arranged by style adviser Carole Caplin, included up to 60 per cent off from designers such as Nicole Farhi.
From July 2001 to November 2002, the couple benefited from £46,000 of discounts on clothing that would have retailed at £76,000, but for which they paid about £30,000. Clare Sumner, then No 10 private secretary, wrote to Tony Blair in February 2003 expressing concern over “public perception” if the discounts became known.
Sumner detailed the scale of the discounts, including £12,834 saved on Nicole Farhi purchases and £33,404 on Cherie’s wholesale buys. While acknowledging that nothing illegal had occurred, she advised that repaying the full amount would mean nothing to declare in the Register or publish in the gifts list.
After discussions with cabinet secretary Sir Andrew Turnbull, Blair was advised to write cheques for £1,116 to Paul Smith and £6,532 to Nicole Farhi. Sumner noted the downside was the amount to be repaid, but said it provided protection and a firm position to take with the press if the issue arose.
Cherie Blair was advised to split her purchases into two halves – “part spouse of the PM, part career woman” – and pay in full on the public half. She was also urged to require designers to sign confidentiality agreements to prevent exploitation of her role. A spokesperson for Tony Blair said advice was sought and followed. A spokesperson for Cherie Blair said she had nothing further to add.
