Tony Blair: 'failed on sleaze'

Joe Murphy, Evening Standard 27.03.07

The "sacked" sleaze watchdog Sir Alistair Graham today accused Tony Blair of failing to clean up politics.

In his final report as chairman of the committee of standards in public life, he said the Prime Minister had not lived up to New Labour's rhetoric of being "purer than pure".

He said his "greatest regret" was that Mr Blair had not made high ethical standards a priority - with the result that public faith in the country's political leadership had been damaged.

Alistair leaves his post next month after Mr Blair refused to reappoint him for a further term, effectively sacking him.
and at times plain-spoken. Given the circumstances I have faced, I make no apologies for this."