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Blair was unaware Annan`s conversations were circulated: Short
London, Feb 28: British Prime Minister Tony Blair may not have been aware that transcripts were circulated to senior ministers of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan`s conversations in the run-up to the Iraq war, the woman who started the spying allegations said on Saturday.
London, Feb 28: British Prime Minister Tony Blair may not have been aware that transcripts were circulated to senior ministers of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's conversations in the run-up to the Iraq war, the woman who started the spying allegations said on Saturday.
In an interview with a British newspaper Clare Short, Britain's former international development secretary, said that it was likely Blair would not have known that the transcripts were circulated around government.
"I'm afraid that there is no question that such transcripts were regularly circulated," Short said.
"It is likely that the Prime Minister was unaware of this," she said.
"He's not a man for detail but he is in a position to stop the practice."
Short also rubbished suggestions that her disclosure that Britain had been listening in to Annan was a threat to Britain's national security or intelligence services.
Blair had reacted angrily on Thursday when Short alleged that British intelligence agents had eavesdropped on Annan's conversations and that she had seen the transcripts.
Blair called Short's allegation "deeply irresponsible" and insisted that British intelligence agents always acted within the law. Bureau Report
In an interview with a British newspaper Clare Short, Britain's former international development secretary, said that it was likely Blair would not have known that the transcripts were circulated around government.
"I'm afraid that there is no question that such transcripts were regularly circulated," Short said.
"It is likely that the Prime Minister was unaware of this," she said.
"He's not a man for detail but he is in a position to stop the practice."
Short also rubbished suggestions that her disclosure that Britain had been listening in to Annan was a threat to Britain's national security or intelligence services.
Blair had reacted angrily on Thursday when Short alleged that British intelligence agents had eavesdropped on Annan's conversations and that she had seen the transcripts.
Blair called Short's allegation "deeply irresponsible" and insisted that British intelligence agents always acted within the law. Bureau Report