Blair stands by Minister

By Hasan Suroor

LONDON, JAN. 26. The British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, seemed standing by Mr. Keith Vaz today, while the Minister insisted that he had not committed any impropriety.

Replying to reporters' questions today, Mr. Blair said Mr. Vaz was a ``prominent'' Asian M.P. and it was natural for him to make representations on behalf of the community. He said from the ``papers'' he had seen he didn't think that anything improper had been done, but the inquiry would examine all issues.

Seeking to draw a curtain on the controversy, which he attributed to ``media frenzy'', Mr. Blair said it was time to get on with other important issues like education and health.

On Thursday, his official spokesman had tried to close the chapter saying: ``Yesterday was yesterday, today is today.''

Meanwhile, Mr. Vaz said he was ``very confident'' of the inquiry. ``I am delighted that an inquiry has been set up by the Prime Minister. I know Sir. Anthony Hammond....will do a good job....and look at everyone's actions,'' he said.

He said he would be delighted to let the media publish his letters, once the inquiry was over.

The Leader of the Opposition Mr. William Hague, alleged that the Government was using the inquiry to stonewall questions on the issue.

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Section  : International
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