Tony Blair has held discussions with Tesco over a ?1 million deal to help the company open branches in the Middle East, it has been reported.
The former Prime Minister, who is currently a peace envoy in the region, is understood to have discussed becoming a figurehead for the company?s drive to expand into the Middle East.
But the talks are thought to have broken down after Mr Blair, who is being touted as the first President of Europe, and Tesco failed to reach an agreement.
The news is likely to be used as evidence that Mr Blair is too financially motivated to become the most powerful man in Europe as opposition to his bid grows.
Tesco are said to have been ?deeply disappointed? by their failure to bring Mr Blair on board as they believed he could use his diplomatic profile to ?open doors?.
Responding to the reports, a spokesman for Tony Blair refused to comment on whether there had been any contact between Mr Blair and the supermarket, saying only that: "Tesco is a great British company.
"However, Tony Blair and Tony Blair Associates have never done any work on behalf of Tesco. Tony Blair does not have any commercial relationship with Tesco and has not made any representations on their behalf.
"The vast majority of Mr Blair's time is taken up by his unpaid activities, principally his role as Quartet Representative in the Middle East, advocating on issues such as climate change and Africa, and with the work of his faith and sports foundations."
A statement from Tesco said: "We wouldn't comment on which advisers we may or may not talk to or speculation about potential markets for Tesco."
It is unclear why talks broke down, but it is believed that the sum of money on offer was not a key issue.
Mr Blair gives economic and political advice to governments and companies such as JP Morgan through his business venture, Tony Blair Associates, and also gives lectures across the world.
He is believed to have amassed a personal fortune of ?15 million since leaving office in 2007, including a significant amount in the Middle East.
However, his chances of becoming the EU council?s first president appeared to be stalling this week after France and Germany refused to confirm their support for him.
A poll for the Sunday Telegraph yesterday revealed that 53% of British voters do not want to see Mr Blair named EU president.
Though he has never publicly declared his interest in the job, Mr Blair is believed to be keen to return to statesmanship and his former Labour party colleagues Gordon Brown and Lord Mandelson have publicly backed him for the position.
Sir Terry Leahy, Tesco?s chief executive, was knighted during Mr Blair?s time in office and has also been a government adviser.
His company, which has more than 2,000 UK stores, has already expanded into America, China and South Korea.
[Source: Daily Telegraph]
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Obviously, "Every Little helps" wasn't enough to add to Blair's bulging Bank Account !!
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The former Prime Minister, who is currently a peace envoy in the region, is understood to have discussed becoming a figurehead for the company?s drive to expand into the Middle East.
But the talks are thought to have broken down after Mr Blair, who is being touted as the first President of Europe, and Tesco failed to reach an agreement.
The news is likely to be used as evidence that Mr Blair is too financially motivated to become the most powerful man in Europe as opposition to his bid grows.
Tesco are said to have been ?deeply disappointed? by their failure to bring Mr Blair on board as they believed he could use his diplomatic profile to ?open doors?.
Responding to the reports, a spokesman for Tony Blair refused to comment on whether there had been any contact between Mr Blair and the supermarket, saying only that: "Tesco is a great British company.
"However, Tony Blair and Tony Blair Associates have never done any work on behalf of Tesco. Tony Blair does not have any commercial relationship with Tesco and has not made any representations on their behalf.
"The vast majority of Mr Blair's time is taken up by his unpaid activities, principally his role as Quartet Representative in the Middle East, advocating on issues such as climate change and Africa, and with the work of his faith and sports foundations."
A statement from Tesco said: "We wouldn't comment on which advisers we may or may not talk to or speculation about potential markets for Tesco."
It is unclear why talks broke down, but it is believed that the sum of money on offer was not a key issue.
Mr Blair gives economic and political advice to governments and companies such as JP Morgan through his business venture, Tony Blair Associates, and also gives lectures across the world.
He is believed to have amassed a personal fortune of ?15 million since leaving office in 2007, including a significant amount in the Middle East.
However, his chances of becoming the EU council?s first president appeared to be stalling this week after France and Germany refused to confirm their support for him.
A poll for the Sunday Telegraph yesterday revealed that 53% of British voters do not want to see Mr Blair named EU president.
Though he has never publicly declared his interest in the job, Mr Blair is believed to be keen to return to statesmanship and his former Labour party colleagues Gordon Brown and Lord Mandelson have publicly backed him for the position.
Sir Terry Leahy, Tesco?s chief executive, was knighted during Mr Blair?s time in office and has also been a government adviser.
His company, which has more than 2,000 UK stores, has already expanded into America, China and South Korea.
[Source: Daily Telegraph]
==============
Obviously, "Every Little helps" wasn't enough to add to Blair's bulging Bank Account !!
.
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